The Course of U. S. Private Investment in Latin America Since the Rise of Castro

摘要

This study is concerned, first, with investigating the pattern of investment flow in recent years. Second, it treats several possible explanations for the pattern that does emerge from the empirical analysis. Third, it relates this analysis to the role of U.S. private investment in the Alliance for Progress. In analyzing the historical record, the study treats four sets of time series data relating to U.S. business activities in the 20 Latin American republics. The statistical analysis discloses that little if any decline in aggregate direct investment has taken place in recent years. Considering manufacturing investment separately, we find no decline for Latin America in the aggregate. Among the major countries, Mexico and Argentina have enjoyed continuing large investment flows; Venezuela and Brazil have suffered some decline, but the record for these countries is ambiguous.