Inconsistencies in Mexico's regional policies, 1970-1982: the case of the distribution of federal government investments

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to find out to what extent the geographical distribution of federal government investments in Mexico underwent significant changes during the administrations of presidents Luis Echeverria Alvarez (1970-1976) and José López Portillo (1976-1982). To this end, federal government investments are analyzed by major sectors at the state level for both administrations, in relation to the two prior administrations (1964-1970 and 1958-1964). The author comes to the conclusion that the express policy objectives of diminishing regional inequalities and of fostering industrial decentralization set during the Echeverría and López Portillo administrations were not matched by a significant change in the geographical distribution of government investments.