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Economic Growth, Inequality And Spatial Demographic Distribution: A Brazilian Case

Author

Listed:
  • Raphael BAR-EL

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israël)

  • Dafna SCHWARTZ

    (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israël)

Abstract

This article investigates the incongruity between macroeconomic growth and poverty reduction or income distribution from a regional perspective, and relates it to the urbanization rates and the urban concentration. Using the case of the state of Ceara in Northeast Brazil, we find a persistent and even growing unequal distribution of income in spite of the relatively rapid macroeconomic growth. The results tend to support the recent directions in economic geography regarding the inefficiency of too extreme urban agglomerations. The primary conclusion drawn from the findings is that the prevailing policy of sectoral support (to industry, tourism) may imply regional distortions, and therefore it should be complemented by a regional policy, leading to a spatial urban restructuring.

Suggested Citation

  • Raphael BAR-EL & Dafna SCHWARTZ, 2003. "Economic Growth, Inequality And Spatial Demographic Distribution: A Brazilian Case," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 18, pages 147-170.
    • Handle: RePEc:tou:journl:v:18:y:2003:p:147-170
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    BRAZIL; ECONOMIC GROWTH; REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT; INEQUALITY; URBANIZATION;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • R13 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General Equilibrium and Welfare Economic Analysis of Regional Economies
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy
    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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