Hirschman was both a pioneer and a dissenter of development economics. He shares with the high theory the virtues and misfortunes of committing to modernize the underdeveloped world, but his exposure to the politics of development in Latin America gave new life to his early insights. Revealing the political dimensions of his concepts on economic development, Hirschman provides some mini-building blocks for a political economics consistent with an open notion of development. This inquiry, however, should not be seen exclusively through a methodological lens; it is grounded on his possibilism, a claim about modernity and the possibility of change. This article reconsiders the legacy of Hirschman's thought for current debates on development and calls for recuperating his commitment to open societies.
I extend my gratitude to CAPES for the scholarship that allowed the development of this work. I wish to thank my supervisor, Prof. Hae Yong Kim, for his never-ending patience, objective comments and assertive suggestions. This work shaped into a wellrounded document thanks to his constant collaboration. To my parents, Edison and Carmen, always supportive, constantly interested and never ceasing to push me forward, I owe them the possibility to stay here and complete this work. I thank them for accompanying me through the deepest and brightest moments of this journey; even beyond the distance I could feel their constant care. To Débora, there are no words to express her constant care and utmost preoccupation in the success of this journey. For her rock-solid patience, limitless comprehension, perfectly-timed work reminders and for the free intern hours she spent to fill in tables and data. I couldn't wish for a better companion by my side. To my friends, the ones that were with me from the beginning, the ones that got on in the middle, and the ones that barely got to know about this work, I thank them for the meaningful words of support, appreciation and jokes that threw along the way. For those who listened to or pretended to listen to my endless explanations, thank you very much. To the ones I leave nameless, the ones I did not even think about, and the ones I left out for some unknown reason, thank you!
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