What factors shape the patterns of nation development? The countries of Latin America provide an interesting context for considering this question. Countries such as Uruguay, Chile and Costa Rica have achieved high levels of prosperity, stability, democracy and effective governance. Neighboring countries, such as Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, are characterized by poverty, instability, violence and corruption. What factors account for these differences?

It has been argued that the differences in the social backgrounds of governing elites during periods of rapid political development account for national differences in subsequent patterns of business regulation and development. Leadership, Status and Development in Latin America: A Comparative Historical Analysis extends these ideas to account for differences in the patterns of national development in Latin America.

In successful states, elites gained status by promoting the development of subordinates. This occurred where development had to be based on bringing free market policies to frontier environments. In unsuccessful states, elite status had been based on subjugating subordinates. This generally occurred in neo-feudal environments where elite positions had been primarily based on the exploitation of subordinate groups.

Leadership, Status and Development in Latin America: A Comparative Historical Analysis will help explain how differences in social contexts and elite interests can account for differences in patterns of national development. The book draws on social psychology and game theory for an analytical framework and uses comparative analyses of the historical evolution of sixteen Latin American countries for the research context.