Some of the region's most progressive laws have been passed in Argentina and Mexico, but the struggle for gay rights in Latin America is an uphill climb.

Brazil leads the hemisphere in IPOs, but the region as a whole lags far behind other emerging markets.

After a rocky start, the free trade pact linking the U.S., Central America and the Dominican Republic finally takes off.

Universal welfare programs are returning to the social policy mix in the hemisphere. By their very nature, limited social assistance policies have limited impact, writes José Antonio Ocampo. Read the full text of the article in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly, released April 24.

Recent research suggests that exclusion represents a severe drag on the region's economic growth and stability. Tackling high inequality and low social mobility is fundamental to getting economies on a sure footing, writes Guillermo Perry. Read the full article in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.

Alexandra Délano reviews Jorge Castañeda's lucid account of the political debates over U.S.-Mexico immigration as well as an overview of recent Mexican migration flows.

Cuban workers and students have started to speak out against the failures of the revolution and the lack of changes. Recent pools indicate that the majority of Cubans are unhappy with the level of personal and economic freedom. Read the entire article in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.