"Sidney Weintraub's short and incisive policy briefs provide a current and critical overview of key policy issues in U.S.-Latin American relations. They are pertinent and to the point and will appeal to a broad audience of individuals interested in the dynamics of current hemispheric relations. The collection will be of particular use to those teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels."—Riordan Roett, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University

"Weintraub has an impressive capacity to see big truths and to dissect policy debates into various perspectives. Guided by a unique mix of the right economics, good-hearted politics, and common sense, his articles are enlightening and useful for trade and economic policymakers throughout Latin America and the Caribbeam."—Jose M. Salazar-Xirinachs, Director, Trade Unit, Organization of American States

In this volume respected economist and policy veteran Sidney Weintraub addresses a wide range of current issues in international political economy. The collected essays, originally written over the 2000-2003 period, offer his sometimes irreverent but always constructive views on trade and development, economic policy, migration, sanctions, democracy and sovereignty, and inter-American relations. Although the emphasis is on the political-economic policy landscape of Latin America and the Caribbean in relation to the United States, Weintraub does not hesitate to consider such topics as the effects of the proliferation of free-trade agreements and other "preferential" agreements on world trade. In incisive style, the volume provides a Washington view of today's most pressing issues in international political economy.

Sidney Weintraub holds the William E. Simon Chair in Political Economy at CSIS. He is also professor emeritus at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. His many publications include NAFTA's Impact on North America: The First Decade (CSIS, 2004).

CSIS Significant Issues Series
224 pp.
6" x 9"
February 2004
ISBN 0-89206-440-4 (pb)