Our Publications, Reports, and Short Articles
Open, citable research that turns evidence into policy action.
At Studio 1848., our publications are designed to help decision-makers act with clarity and stay informed. Each report, insight note, and flagship brief distills complex evidence into practical intelligence by connecting data to the dilemmas governments, institutions, and citizens across Latin America and the world face today. We focus on what’s changing, why it matters, and what options are realistically on the table.
More than research for its own sake, our work aims to shift how problems are framed and how policies are built. Whether testing a fiscal reform against long-term debt risk or mapping the unintended costs of foreign influence, our goal is the same: to equip our readers with the tools to choose wisely, before circumstances choose for them.
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The Breakdown: When Justice Falters, the Economy Pays
When judicial independence erodes, the rule of law weakens, and so does the economy. Without reliable courts, contracts become political gambles, driving up borrowing costs, discouraging investment, and stalling economic growth. Businesses shift from innovation to influence-seeking, while small and medium-sized enterprises face higher costs and fewer opportunities. Weaker creditor rights shrink access to finance, brain drain accelerates, and inequality deepens. This is a full-scale economic shock that misallocates resources, depresses productivity, and undermines competitiveness. Rebuilding judicial credibility through institutional safeguards, transparent commercial dispute resolution, and strong creditor and investor protections is essential. The earlier these reforms take root, the lower the long-term growth penalty, and the faster trust can return to markets.