Una nueva mirada al Consenso de Washington. Estado, confianza social y criterios de evaluación. Evidencia estadística para el caso de Chile y Argentina, 1983–2001

Traditionally, the results of the implementation of the Washington Consensus policies have been evaluated according to two (short term related) criteria: economic efficiency and income distribution. This article proposes to include social trust as a third evaluation criterion, given its relation to an economy’s long run performance. Furthermore, it evaluates, with the aid of preliminary statistical evidence for Chile and Argentina (1983-2001), whether the State can influence directly its generation. The evidence suggests that in Chile there exists a “virtuous circle” between both, while in Argentina there does not. These elements lead us to conclude two things regarding the implementation of the Consensus. First, there still lays much work ahead in terms of improving the conditions for long term economic growth. Second, the existence or not of such a “virtuous circle” can contribute to our understanding of the difference between the observed results of the Asian Crisis in both countries.