Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy in Mexico: Rural Development and Neoliberal Pathways
Overview
This paper analyzes rural poverty and inequality in Mexico through examination of two key academic works: Aguila et al.'s study of social policy impacts between 1980-1994, and Tetreau's analysis of neoliberal pathways out of rural poverty. The paper traces government neglect of rural communities, sectoral disparities in education and healthcare, and policy interventions under President Fox that achieved measurable poverty reduction through agricultural support and market facilitation.
What this literature review covers
- Overview of inequality and poverty in rural Mexico during 1980-1994, including government neglect and sectoral disparities
- Analysis of three neoliberal pathways (agriculture, migration, labor) and poverty statistics under Fox administration 2000-2006
- Discussion of government interventions in organic coffee markets and ongoing challenges for agricultural laborers
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Articles
Aguila, Emma et al. "Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy in Mexico."
Darcy Victor Tetreau's "Alternative Pathways out of Rural Poverty in Mexico"
The scholars analyze the broad topics of inequalities, rural poverty, and economic policies in Mexico. Aguila Emma et al. (2012) "Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy in Mexico" explores rural poverty, gender and racial inequality, and Mexico's social policy between 1980 and 1994 in the agricultural sector.[1] The government systems of the time neglected the rural community while developing urban centers. As a result, the peasant farmers stagnated in poverty for a long time since they could not afford the high production cost that does not reward the end due to poor infrastructure. The cases of inequalities extended to the education sector.
Urban centers had more developed schools compared to those in rural areas. Urban centers also enjoyed improved health facilities compared to rural areas sparsely populated by the indigenous people. It was not until 2004 when the government formed policies that promoted fairness and equality.[2] Similarly, Darcy Victor Tetreau's (2010) "Alternative Pathways out of Rural Poverty in Mexico" analyzes the three neoliberal pathways out of rural poverty as suggested by the World Bank in its World Development report of 2008 the agricultural sector of farming, migration, and labor.[3]
From the report, the people who lived in rural Mexico were discriminated against in governmental development.