LATIN AMERICA- Dialectics of Growth and Regression

October 11, 1986 LATIN AMERICA Dialectics of Growth and Regression James Petras THE main feature of Latin American development' in the past six years has been economic and social regression in practically all countries, most sectors and classes of society. And there is no light at the end of the tunnel, despite the periodic upbeat statements emanating from Washington. Sustained regression continues despite the changes in political regime, from military dictatorship to elected civilian regime. In most cases, the inauguration of elected regimes has not prevented deepening socioeconomic deterioration but, has furthered it by assuming the previous socio-economic policies of the military regimes regarding debt payments, wage-income and investment policies and the role of the market.