“My research is primarily dedicated to analyzing the challenges and opportunities Latin American nations face as they attempt to stabilize and reform their economies,” says Professor of Economics Miguel Ramirez. In particular, he is interested in the effects of increased privatization in the region. “Firms have been privatized in key industries such as banking and telecommunications,” according to Ramirez, ”without adequate regulatory agencies and the absence of anti-trust laws.” His research has focused on the impact of International Monetary Fund (IMF) policies in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, as well as the mixed success of reform programs such as privatization of state-owned firms, deregulation of economic activity, and liberalization of trade and finance. He notes, however, that he is not opposed to privatization, as long as states are also willing to impose antitrust regulations.

Ramirez often uses his own research as a catalyst for classroom discussion, and presents his findings to inspire students to investigate complex economic issues for themselves. “Economics amounts to sophisticated common sense,” he says, and he encourages his classes to examine real-life economic issues in the broader context of history and politics. Described by both students and colleagues as a dynamic and rigorous teacher (one student calls his teaching style “interactive”), Ramirez structures his classes around a combination of spirited discussion and extensive writing assignments. “In my opinion,” he says, “requiring students to write down their ideas in a cogent and compelling manner on, say, the impact of IMF policies in Latin America or whether the presence of short-term capital controls helped China avoid the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 fosters critical and independent thinking and organized classroom discussion.”

A native of Chile who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1990, Ramirez has been a member of the Trinity faculty since 1985. He earned a Ph. D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne in 1984.