Towards a Mercosur regional development fund? : transferring European Union experience

[摘要] The thesis examines the extent to which Mercosur member states can establish a common approach to regional development, and what Mercosur can learn from the European Union experience of regional development funds. Through an extensive statistical analysis this thesis maps and profiles regional disparities in Mercosur in order to expose the nature and scale of the regional development challenge faced by the region. It argues that the creation of a Mercosur Regional Development Fund (MRDF), although not the sole solution, is one way forward towards the reduction of regional disparities. The thesis then proposes a theoretical framework which can be employed to account for prospective policy transfers between two supranational associations such as the EU and Mercosur. A critical analysis of the EU regional development fund experience leads the thesis to propose that there are some key EU principles which Mercosur can apply. Finally, the thesis discusses the objectives and main characteristics of a MRDF in terms of how it might best address the needs of the Mercosur less developed regions.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

[关键词] H Social Sciences;HC Economic History and Conditions