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The Economics of Peru's Informal Market

Hernando de Soto says that the inefficient and often corrupt bureaucratic system in Peru makes starting a legal business nearly impossible for most people. As a result, a robust, informal, and technically-illegal market has emerged. De Soto explores this phenomenon -- and similar cases throughout Latin America -- in his new book, The Other Path.

27:59
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Other segments from the episode on February 7, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, February 7, 1989: Interview with Hernando de Soto; Commentary on rock bands from the Pacific northwest; Interview with Lawrence Levine; Review of V.S. Naipal's memoir "A…
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07:00

The History of the Northwest Sound

Rock historian Ed Ward says that 1960s bands from Oregon and Washington are often overlooked. Their style was distinctive, featuring distorted guitars and raw, sneered vocals -- a sound that endures today.

Commentary
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09:39

A Look at the "Cultural Hierarchy in America"

Historian Lawrence Levine's new book examines the split between high and low culture. He argues that one should look at cultural horizontally -- rather than vertically -- in order to see how different kinds of art and media interact with each other, and are consumed by different social groups.

Interview
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03:46

An Author Makes a Wrong "Turn in the South"

Book critic John Leonard says that V.S. Naipal's book about his travels in the American South reflects a tourist's mindset. The author's sentimental perspective prevents him from seeing the complicated race and class issues that shape the region.

Review

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20:23

Tracking the World's Black Market: 'Illicit'

Moises Naim, editor and publisher of Foreign Policy magazine. His new book is Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats Are Hijacking the Global Economy. In it, Naim describes an international black market in which illegal arms, drugs and knockoff goods trade across the globe.

Interview
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15:54

Peru's Eminent Novelist and Former Presidential Candidate Mario Vargas Llosa

Peru's eminent novelist and former presidential candidate Mario Vargas Llosa. Llosa is the author of many books including "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter," (which was made into a movie, based on his own relationship with his 32-year old aunt, who he married at the age of 19), "The Storyteller," and "In Praise of the Stepmother." A London Times writer says of Llosa's novels that they are "among the finest coming out of Latin America." Llosa lived for many years in Europe.

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