Why do some societies fare well, and others poorly, at reducing the risk of early death? In his award-winning book, Wealth, Health, and Democracy in East Asia and Latin America, Professor James McGuire shows that the public provision of basic health care and other inexpensive social services has reduced mortality rapidly, even in tough economic circumstances, and that political democracy has contributed to the provision and utilization of such social services, in a wider range of ways than is sometimes recognized.
McGuire, professor in the Department of Government at Wesleyan University, will give a public lecture on the topic on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A.
McGuire’s conclusions are based on case studies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, as well as on cross-national comparisons involving these cases and others.
This event is sponsored by a generous gift from Eloise Briskin.