Desigualdade e heterogeneidade no desenvolvimento da Amazônia no século XXI [Inequality and heterogeneity in the development of the Amazon in the 21st century]

The deforestation of the Amazon forest is one of the most important environmental problems faced by the Brazilian government. The economic literature points to numerous factors responsible for deforestation, and many of these are, directly or indirectly, derived from federal spending. This article analyzes, through a panel data econometric model, how federal spending can influence, or mitigate, Amazonian deforestation. The state of Pará is used as a case study, as it presents the highest degree of deforestation among all Amazonian states.