Field:
    Comparative and International Political Economy

Dissertation Title:
    What Prevents Economic Liberalization? The Political Economy of Trade Protectionism

Committee:
    Michael Lofchie (Chair), Barbara Geddes, Kathy Bawn and Ed Leamer

Date of Completion:
    Fall 2004

Contact Information:
    Monica Arruda de Almeida
    UCLA Political Science Department
    4289 Bunche Hall
    Los Angeles, California 90095-1472
    Phone: 310-825-4331
    Fax: 310-825-0778

Curriculum Vitae:
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Dissertation Summary:
    My dissertation topic involves Brazilian trade policy. I show that although the Brazilian government reduced average import tariffs, it maintained a pattern of trade protectionism that closely resembled the protectionism that existed during the country’s import-substitution industrialization period. I also explain why the country ceased its recent trade liberalization efforts and reverted back to protectionism during the late 1990’s. I argue that Brazil’s economic leadership never fully intended to the embrace trade liberalization policies in accordance with the precepts of major international economic organizations. Their goal instead was to reduce the country’s import tariff rates enough to force Brazil’s domestic industries to become more competitive. I test this contention in three different chapters, each of which focuses on a particular sector. My hope is to shed light on why some countries fail to embark on sustainable trade liberalization, reverting to protectionist policies after adopting short-lived reforms.

Research Interests:
    My intellectual interests lie on the political economy of trade, monetary, and financial policies. My research attempts to provide political explanations as to why some governments are able to enact significant administrative reforms while others cannot. My research includes the comparative analysis of policymaking, implementation, and public management in developing countries, with particular reference to Latin America.

Teaching Interests:
    My teaching experience includes courses on the following topics: Politics of economic reform in developing countries, politics of international finance and monetary policy, labor and trade relations, and Brazilian studies.

    I am currently a lecturer at UCLA’s International Institute. I am affiliated with the institute’s International Development Studies (IDS) program, where I teach a course entitled “The Political Economy of Trade, Finance, and Debt.” This seminar examines the political and economic factors that have led some of the world’s poorest countries to the brink of financial insolvency. One of the goals of the course is to help students understand the relationship between government policies (e.g., monetary, fiscal, and trade policies) and countries’ vulnerability to external economic shocks. We also study the IMF’s and the World Bank’s Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt-relief initiative and its effect on the participant countries’ external accounts.