With early versions of some of the chapters dating back to a 2001 meeting of the Latin American Studies Association, this volume sets as its goal exploring the rise of professional economists into positions of political power throughout the Americas. After an introductory chapter outlining the use of comparative analysis in assessing convergence, divergence, and connecting perspectives of political economic thinking among countries, seven remaining chapters explore the evolution of the economics profession in mostly South American countries. Montecinos and Markoff, both professors of sociology at Penn State and University of Pittsburgh, respectively, edit the submitted chapters. Since leftist parties have won the majority of elections recently in Latin America, an epilogue has been added that speculates on the fragmentation of the "Washington Consensus" and its associated neoliberal economics. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)