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

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.

Ignacio Labaqui reviews  Dante Avaro's assessment of income inequality in Latin America and his proposed policy that reduces such inequality without compromising economic growth.

A fierce debate rages over whether globalization reduces or increases poverty and inequality. The evidence doesn't always provide comfortable answers for either side. Read the full article in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.

100,000 Bolivians, many of them undocumented immigrants, live and work in São Paulo, re-creating a Bolivian community in the midst of Brazil's industrial capital. Read the full article in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.

The first step in designing effective programs to reduce poverty in the region is to figure out the real numbers. Unfortunately, that's harder than it looks, writes Sanjay G. Reddy. Read the full article in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.