Smart News & Research for Latin America's Changemakers
Scott B. MacDonald
FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Scott B. MacDonald is the chief economist at Smith’s Research & Gradings. Prior to that, he was the head of research at MC Asset Management LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation (2012–2015); head of credit and economic research at Aladdin Capital Management in Stamford, Connecticut (2000–2011); chief economist for KWR International (1999–2000); director of sovereign research at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (1994–1998); sovereign risk analyst and director at Credit Suisse (1992–1994); and an international economic adviser in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington, D.C. (1988–1992). He is the author or editor of 18 books and numerous articles on economic affairs, covering events in the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and North America. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Connecticut, an M.A. in Asian studies from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, and a B.A. in history and political science from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He has been an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Connecticut and is on the Board of Directors for El Centro Hispano, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist, support, and strengthen Hispanic families in Westchester County, New York.
Chile holds a significant position in the global economy. As the world shifts from a dependence on fossil fuels to clean and renewable sources of energy, ... Read More
While gold plays an important role in Suriname’s economy, it has downsides, some of them related to transnational criminal activities, which benefit from ... Read More
The February 2023 riots reflect the pains of a country going through a profound transition. Suriname is struggling through economic difficulties while ... Read More
According to Shenai, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala are entangled in a governance trap, which he defines as “a path-dependent equilibrium in which ... Read More
The United States, China, Japan, and most advanced economies are actively engaged in attempting to secure new sources of lithium—a key element in the ... Read More
As the world looks for an energy revolution, Latin America’s lithium triangle—Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile—is estimated to hold close to 60 percent of ... Read More
Chami, Teelucksingh, and Anatol have produced a timely and thought-provoking book that has taken a step forward in pulling together broad strands of ... Read More
While a relatively isolated society can avoid dealing with corruption, Suriname’s increasingly open economy and globally-connected youth are accordingly ... Read More
Lapper’s Beef, Bible and Bullets provides an excellent guide through Brazil’s current political complexities and the man who would be Trump. It is ... Read More
Considering the level of passion from Bolsonaro supporters and the large number of Brazilians who dislike the president, Brazil could remain a highly ... Read More