Not since the publication of Carlos Díaz Alejandro's Essays on the Economic History of the Argentine Republic in 1970 has there been a new standard reference for those seeking a more quantitative understanding of Argentina's development. Research in the "new economic history" in the intervening years has led to a more sophisticated interpretation of the past. This book provides access to the latest research, focusing on long-run economic change, major developments in policymaking, and important shifts in institutions and ideas. The lessons from Argentina's turbulent economic past represent the essential context for the issues that confront scholars, students, and policymakers today.