Spatial Inequality and Development

What exactly is spatial inequality? Why does it matter? And what should be the policy response to it? These questions have become important in recent years as the spatial dimensions of inequality have begun to attract considerable policy interest. In China, Russia, India, Mexico, and South Africa, as well as most other developing and transition economies, spatial and regional inequality - of economic activity, incomes, and social indicators - is on the increase. Spatial inequality is a dimension of overall inequality, but it has added significance when spatial and regional divisions align with political and ethnic tensions to undermine social and political stability. Also important in the policy debate is a perceived sense that increasing internal spatial inequality is related to greater openness of economies, and to globalization in general. Despite these important concerns, there is remarkably little systematic documentation of what has happened to spatial and regional inequality over the last twenty years. Correspondingly, there is insufficient understanding of the determinants of internal spatial inequality. This volume attempts to answer the questions posed above, drawing on data from twenty-five countries from all regions of the world. They bring together perspectives and expertise in development economics and in economic geography and form a well-researched introduction to an area of growing analytical and policy importance. Contributors to this volume - Bettina Aten, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Washington DC, on leave from Bridgewater State College. Carlos R. Azzoni, University of Sao Paulo. Luc Christiaensen, The World Bank. Donald Davis, Columbia University and National Bureau of Economic Research. Lionel Demery, independent consultant economist, formerly with the Africa Region of the World Bank. Chris Elbers, Vrije University, Amsterdam. Javier Escobal, Group for the Analysis of Development (GRADE) in Lima. Michael F. Forster, European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research. Jed Friedman, The World Bank, Washington DC. Alan Heston, University of Pennsylvania. David Jesuit, Central Michigan University. Ravi Kanbur, Cornell University. Peter Lanjouw, The World Bank Development Research Group, Washington DC. Songhua Lin, Denison University. Tatiane Almeida de Menezes, University of Sao Paulo and Fundacao Instituto de Pesquisas Economicas (FIPE). Naercio Menezes-Filho, University of Sao Paulo and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Johan Mistiaen, The World Bank Development Research Group, Washington DC. Oliver Morrissey, University of Nottingham and Overseas Development Institute (ODI), London. Berk Ozler, The World Bank Development Research Group, Washington DC. Stefano Paternostro, The World Bank Poverty Reduction Group, Washington DC. Martin Ravallion, The World Bank's Research Department. Andres Rodriguez-Pose, London School of Economics and Political Science. Javier Sanchez-Reaza, CIDE (Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas), Mexico City. Kenneth R. Simler, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC. Timothy Smeeding, Syracuse University. Dirk Willem te Velde, Overseas Development Institute, London. Maximo Torero, Group for the Analysis of Development (GRADE), Lima. Anthony Venables, London School of Economics and the Centre for Economic Policy Research. David Weinstein, Columbia University. Ruslan Yemtsov, The World Bank, Washington DC.