Two broad sets of questions have propelled this study. The first is historical or rather, counter-historical, and is directed toward investigating the sources of the rapid changes in employment and income distribution in Puerto Rico during a decade of extra ordinary growth from 1953 to 1963. A second set of questions is more forward-looking and projective. We seek to evaluate the impact on the island economy both of continuing its so-called successful growth strategy and of departing from this historical path.