This is so important. The amount of time they spent driving anti-imf narratives into my head during undergrad (majors history and polisci) was honestly astounding, and it’s something of a cornerstone for anti-market ideology overall, especially among third-worldists.
"Once we separate failed or weakly implemented adjustment programs from genuine liberalization, the broader record of economic freedom remains what it has long been: overwhelmingly favorable."
You seem to be conflating SAPs with economic freedom. Economic freedom is an outcome. SAPs is a tool.
Indeed the reality is varied and context-specific. SAPs were implemented in sub-Saharan Africa and not in East Asia. The results are stark. SAPs were wholly inappropriate for the African context at the time.
This is so important. The amount of time they spent driving anti-imf narratives into my head during undergrad (majors history and polisci) was honestly astounding, and it’s something of a cornerstone for anti-market ideology overall, especially among third-worldists.
"Once we separate failed or weakly implemented adjustment programs from genuine liberalization, the broader record of economic freedom remains what it has long been: overwhelmingly favorable."
You seem to be conflating SAPs with economic freedom. Economic freedom is an outcome. SAPs is a tool.
Indeed the reality is varied and context-specific. SAPs were implemented in sub-Saharan Africa and not in East Asia. The results are stark. SAPs were wholly inappropriate for the African context at the time.