Foreword

Abstract

The conflict between economic growth and balanced distribution of income is a well-known problem that has created tension, socio-economic pressure, hostility, and friction within many societies. The measures taken by many governments in order to improve the well-being of their citizens by promoting economic growth have led in many cases to satisfactory macroeconomic growth, but at the same time also to increasing socio-economic gaps and even to a relative deterioration in the well-being of significant parts of the population. Brazil is one of many examples of this phenomenon: in spite of economic growth the distribution of income has worsened for many years, and the poverty indicators are extremely high. Social conflicts nourished by this situation have been a major factor in the political upheaval leading to the election of a President from the Labor Party. Still, in spite of a clear “pro-poor” policy, poverty levels are extremely high.

Citation

(2008), "Foreword", Bar-El, R. (Ed.) Regional Development and Conflict Management: A Case for Brazil (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 8), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. xiii-xiv. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-8323(08)08020-X