The formation of Human capital in pre-modern Latin America

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the knowledge of the different development and inequality in Latin America in the long run, with a particular focus on the southern region and the colonial period before the first economic globalization (in 1860). The construction of the database was one of the initial and great efforts of the thesis since it was unpublished. Most of the registers –mainly the census and population registers– are primary sources from the National Archives of Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and La Paz. I constructed an extensive database by region in which it is possible to identify the mathematical capabilities (numeracy) of the population. In some cases, it was possible to compare the numeracy with the occupational categories. The analysis focuses on the Rio de la Plata region; however, other countries Latin American are also included. The objective is to contribute to wider debates through a regionalization of the analysis taking into account the particularities of each area. This thesis attempts to answer some questions concerning Human capital formation in this period and region: Was the formation of Human capital relevant in a pre-modern society? What are the determinants of the formation of Human Capital in a pre-modern period? Are there any differences in Human capital formation among the Latin American regions? Are the natural resources linked to Human capital formation? Was the creation of Human capital relevant for wealth?