Journal article
An open vein: Manganese ore and the Central do Brasil Railway, 1894-1920
Business and economic history, Vol.24(1), pp.164-175
10/01/1995
Abstract
Conventional assessments of the state-owned Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil, both contemporary and historical, have charged that the railroad's faults were due to overemployment and the intrinsic inefficiencies of state railroad promotion and operation. On the other hand, some historians, such as Stephen Topik (1987), have suggested persuasively that artificially low rates offered by the Central, and not overemployment and inefficiencies, explain the large deficits contracted by the line. By subsidizing traffic, Topik claims, the Central achieved important developmental objectives of spatial and commercial integration in southeast Brazil. However, historians must be careful not to overemphasize the accomplishments of domestic integration by state-supported railroads like the Central, and exaggerate the independence of state initiatives in railroad policy-making. By analyzing more closely the reasons for the high cost structure of the Central, one can better appreciate the limitations and constraints on state policies governing the railroad.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- An open vein: Manganese ore and the Central do Brasil Railway, 1894-1920
- Creators
- Tyler Priest
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Business and economic history, Vol.24(1), pp.164-175
- Publisher
- Business History Conference; Williamsburg
- ISSN
- 0894-6825
- eISSN
- 1941-7349
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/1995
- Academic Unit
- Geographical and Sustainability Sciences; History; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984025654402771
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