Teorias do desenvolvimento regional e suas implicações de política econômica no pós-guerra: o caso do Brasil

Discussions about the regional question gained new impetus in the post-war and its ideas influenced the regional economic planning in many countries, especially in Latin America. This paper describes the main characteristics of four theories developed in this period: The Theory of Growth Pole, the Theory of Circular Cumulative Causation, the Theory of Unbalanced Growth and the Export Base Theory. After that we analyze how these theories influenced the regional planning in Brazil between 1950 and 1980. The analysis of the main national plans of development shows that the policy makers tried to follow these theoretical recommendations. However, the results of these policies were limited by several misinterpretations, like the exaggerate emphasis on the import replacing without diversification of the exportations, and the national development of long-term has been compromised. After this period of state intervention, there were many changes in the economic environment, including in the mainstream about the regional development.