"Study examines trends in income distribution in Mexico during the period of trade and economic liberalization. Makes the obvious but often ignored point that the prediction of orthodox theory can turn out to be false if its assumptions are not fulfilled and if offsetting forces are at work. The study's detailed analysis of the effective protection rates in 1989 shows how inadequate reforms have been as far as the promotion of efficient resource allocation"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 57.

The aim of this book is to understand why despite a considerable increase in average income in Mexico during the 1984-1992 period of economic liberalization, the conditions of the poorest of the poor deteriorated and income inequality increased. To explain why some individuals were able to take advantage of the opportunities which the economy was generating, while others were prevented from doing so, the author suggests some methodology to extract additional information from poverty and inequality measures, and test the main theories of household saving behaviour.

The aim of this book is to understand why, despite an increase in average income in Mexico during the 1984-1992 period of economic liberalization, the conditions of the poorest deteriorated and income inequality increased.