The South American Lions

The South American Lions are the economies of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. Between the early 1950s and 1970s, they underwent rapid industrialization and maintained constant growth rates of more than 4 percent a year. These countries had gone through various economic recessions between 1900s and 1940s. Argentina and Brazil saw a shortage in their agricultural exports, Peru underwent several wars, and Venezuela returned to democracy in 1958 after a decade dictatorship.

Intriguingly, all these countries went through rapid economic growth via very different economic policies. Argentina industrialized with the implementation of protectionist policies that encouraged the growth of national companies, Brazil and Venezuela through neoliberal policies and holding close relations with the United States, and Peru industrialized thanks to a full planning of their economy.

Argentina, Brazil and Peru would become prominent industrial powerhouses, with a worldwide economic influence. While Venezuela and Chile reached very high standards of living.

= Impact on other countries =