Structural imbalances in the Chinese Economy after the 2008-2012 Financial Crisis. Reflections from Latin American Economic Thought

Abstract

This work develops a reflection over the Chinese economic structural imbalances, as evident in the aftermath of the 2008-2012 Financial Crisis. To do so, it presents a review of some relevant concepts provided by, first, the current literature on the so called “middle income” economies; secondly, the work advances in the search of contributions originally produced by the Latin American Economic thought, together with theoretical developments formulated by Arthur Lewis work on development economics, considered as an appropriate tool for the analysis of the Chinese economic transition since 1978. This review is presented together with an exposition of the main traits of the Chinese economy, accomplished by means of aggregate indicators examination. From this analysis, we came to identify some traits that resemble China with an unbalanced productive structure. The economic imbalances of the Chinese This work develops a reflection over the Chinese economic structural imbalances, as evident in the aftermath of the 2008-2012 Financial Crisis. To do so, it presents a review of some relevant concepts provided by, first, the current literature on the so called “middle income” economies; secondly, the work advances in the search of contributions originally produced by the Latin American Economic thought, together with theoretical developments formulated by Arthur Lewis work on development economics, considered as an appropriate tool for the analysis of the Chinese economic transition since 1978. This review is presented together with an exposition of the main traits of the Chinese economy, accomplished by means of aggregate indicators examination. From this analysis, we came to identify some traits that resemble China with an unbalanced productive structure. The economic imbalances of the Chinese This work develops a reflection over the Chinese economic structural imbalances, as evident in the aftermath of the 2008-2012 Financial Crisis. To do so, it presents a review of some relevant concepts provided by, first, the current literature on the so called “middle income” economies; secondly, the work advances in the search of contributions originally produced by the Latin American Economic thought, together with theoretical developments formulated by Arthur Lewis work on development economics, considered as an appropriate tool for the analysis of the Chinese economic transition since 1978. This review is presented together with an exposition of the main traits of the Chinese economy, accomplished by means of aggregate indicators examination. From this analysis, we came to identify some traits that resemble China with an unbalanced productive structure. The economic imbalances of the Chinese This work develops a reflection over the Chinese economic structural imbalances, as evident in the aftermath of the 2008-2012 Financial Crisis. To do so, it presents a review of some relevant concepts provided by, first, the current literature on the so called “middle income” economies; secondly, the work advances in the search of contributions originally produced by the Latin American Economic thought, together with theoretical developments formulated by Arthur Lewis work on development economics, considered as an appropriate tool for the analysis of the Chinese economic transition since 1978. This review is presented together with an exposition of the main traits of the Chinese economy, accomplished by means of aggregate indicators examination. From this analysis, we came to identify some traits that resemble China with an unbalanced productive structure. The economic imbalances of the Chinese economy, in this regard, lay on the existing links between the country and the world economy and, finally, constitute major challenges for the sustainment of the development process.

Este trabalho desenvolve uma reflexão sobre os desequilíbrios estruturais econômicos chineses, como evidenciado no rescaldo da Crise Financeira de 2008-2012. Para tanto, apresenta uma revisão de alguns conceitos relevantes fornecidos, em primeiro lugar, pela literatura atual sobre as chamadas economias de “renda média”; em segundo lugar, o trabalho avança na busca de contribuições originalmente produzidas pelo pensamento econômico latino-americano, juntamente com desenvolvimentos teóricos formulados pelo trabalho de Arthur Lewis sobre economia do desenvolvimento, considerado como uma ferramenta apropriada para a análise da transição econômica chinesa desde 1978. é apresentado em conjunto com uma exposição das principais características da economia chinesa, realizada por meio do exame de indicadores agregados. A partir dessa análise, chegamos a identificar alguns traços que lembram a China com uma estrutura produtiva desequilibrada. Os desequilíbrios econômicos da economia chinesa, nesse aspecto, assentam nos vínculos existentes entre o país e a economia mundial e, finalmente, constituem grandes desafios para a sustentação do processo de desenvolvimento.