The Economics of Poverty, Inequality and Wealth Accumulation in Mexico

The aim of this book is to understand why despite a considerable increase in average income in Mexico during the 1984-1992 period of economic liberalization, the conditions of the poorest of the poor deteriorated and income inequality increased. To explain why some individuals were able to take advantage of the opportunities which the economy was generating, while others were prevented from doing so, the author suggests some methodology to extract additional information from poverty and inequality measures, and test the main theories of household saving behaviour.

Auteur

MIGUEL SZÉKELY is a Research Consultant, Office of the Chief Economist, Inter-American Development Bank. He was Researcher and Lecturer in Economics at the Centre for Economics Studies, El Colegio de Mexico (1989-93). He was Lecturer in Economics, Department of Economics, Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Mexico (1990-92). He won the Nancy Ruggles Memorial Award 1996, for the paper Explaining Poverty. His recent publications are: Income Distribution and Poverty in Mexico, Poverty in Mexico during Adjustmen*t, *Review of Income and Wealth, Series 41 (1995), Aspectos Sobre la Desigualdad en Mexico', *El Trimestre Económico*, (April-June, 1995), andEstabilización y Ajuste con Desigualdad y Pobreza, el Caso de Mexico', El Trimestre Económico No. 241, (January-March, 1994)

Contenu

Introduction The Problem: Income Distribution and Poverty in Mexico During Economic Liberalization How Much Inequality Can Be Explained? Decomposing the Changes in Inequality Explaining Poverty Explaining Changes in Poverty The Effect of Poverty Alleviation Programs on Poverty The Restrictions on the Accumulation of Human and Physical Capital: Traditional Explanations Savings, Poverty and Uncertainty An Alternative Approach Conclusions Appendix I Appendix II Appendix III References Index