Date of Award

5-10-2017

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Moore School of Business

Director of Thesis

Dr. Douglas Woodward

First Reader

Dr. Martine Jean

Second Reader

Dr. Martine Jean

Abstract

This thesis analyzes trends in income inequality reduction across different regions of Brazil from 2000 to 2010. This period was selected because it was a period of consistent economic growth and national inequality reduction, as measured by the GINI Index, as well as a period that witnessed the introduction of new government policies by President Lula da Silva. This thesis provides extensive background information about Lula’s presidency and income inequality in Brazil before conducting an economic analysis of the trends in income inequality reduction through the country. This thesis concludes that the trend of inequality reduction favored certain regions of the country and also favored municipalities that were more adept at encouraging participation in the formal sector. This means that although the North and Northeastern regions of the country received the highest amount of new government benefit payments, the regions were still less successful at reducing income inequality than the more historically wealthy regions of the country. The ramifications of this research show that although income inequality generally decreased during this time, greater national effort is needed to address the structural and historic factors that perpetuate regional inequality in Brazil.

First Page

1

Last Page

44

Rights

© 2017, Victoria Rose Belcher

Download

Share

COinS