Alexandre Abreu
Portugal’s Inequality Regime: Many contradictions, multiple pressures
Abstract:
This paper applies the concept of inequality regime, in the tradition of the Regulation School, to the analysis of the patterns and drivers of socioeconomic inequality in Portugal in the last few decades. Key empirical patterns are identified with respect to income inequality, top and bottom incomes, wealth inequality, monetary poverty and non-commodified provision of basic goods. We then discuss several underlying processes and mechanisms, namely the capital-labour relation, classification struggles, financialisation, redistribution, and welfare, to account for the identified empirical patterns. We conclude that Portugal’s inequality regime is remarkably contradictory and argue that the country’s success in curbing most measures of inequality in recent times is especially vulnerable to a variety of pressures.
Quotation:
Abreu, A. (2023). “Portugal’s Inequality Regime: Many contradictions, multiple pressures”. Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais, 130:127-156
Lições de macroeconomia: uma introdução
Abstract:
The book that is now being published, in the form of lessons in macroeconomics, is the result of 3 years of work in teaching the discipline of Economics II, of the degrees in Economics, Mathematics Applied to Economics and Management and General Studies, at the Instituto Superior of Economics and Management at the University of Lisbon. These Macroeconomics Lessons are the result of a pedagogical experience of teaching an introductory-level subject and the objective is to facilitate the transmission of knowledge in a subject that is nonetheless complex, but which is indispensable in the training of any economist or manager. The approach presented in this book reflects three methodological options that aim to make it more attractive and user-friendly for its readers. The first is the search for the greatest possible clarity and simplification in the presentation of concepts and theories. The second is the purpose of making the distinction between the model of reality and reality understood. The third is the inclusion of the Portuguese economic reality in virtually all chapters, either as a reference for the discussion of concepts, which acquire a concrete and quantified dimension in this way, or as a specific object of macroeconomic analysis. Aimed primarily at students starting their university education, these Lessons do not fail to go further in dealing with the issues, and may be useful to all those who, regardless of their motives, wish to acquire an introductory vision of contemporary macroeconomic analysis.
Quotation:
Mendonça, António (Coordenador) e Vitor Magriço … [et al.] .(2021) . “Lições de macroeconomia: uma introdução”. Edições Silabo, Lisboa: p. 451.
Working Paper 187/2022: Resiliência em Países Frágeis – uma investigação exploratória em curso
Abstract:
Resiliência em Países Frágeis – uma investigação exploratória em curso started in 2017 when the director of a service directorate of the Joint Research Center, at ECAS in Geneva, invited Prof. Carlos Sangreman to an exploratory study on resilience in Guinea-Bissau with the title Context specific risk perception and resilience patterns for individuals and communities (urban/non-urban) – the case of people in Guinea-Bissau. The study was carried out on the basis of the survey whose form is included in this Working Paper, gave rise to the attached article in an international journal and to a PhD thesis in progress at the University of Aveiro. The partnership between JRC and Cesa also involved Professor Alexandre Abreu and Master Jessica Santos, as well as Carlos Sangreman. From the JRC were Chistophe Quétel, Guy Bourdin and Ilektra Lemi. A survey was conducted in all regions and capital of the country to 210 households, with a previous pilot to 36 to refine the questionnaire in this partnership: project Enquêtes de terrain sur la perception du risque et la résilience des ménages en Guinée-Bissau Projet: Ares(2018)2381703 – 04/05/2018. Centre Commun de Recherche (JRC) de la Commission Européenne, Direction E, and CESA – Centre for Studies on Africa and Development of the University of Lisbon.
Quotation:
Sangreman, C., Martins, D., Quetel, C. Abreu, A. e Bourdin, G. (2022). “Resiliência em Países Frágeis – uma investigação exploratória em curso”. CEsA/CSG/ISEG/ULisboa – Documentos de Trabalho nº 186/2022
Acerca da Repartição Funcional do Rendimento na Economia Portuguesa
Abstract:
The functional division of income – that is, the question of its primary distribution across the different factors of production and, in particular, between labour income (wages) and capital income (profits, interest and rents) – has been a major theme in political economy since its early days. Acerca da repartição funcional do rendimento na economia Portuguesa empirically analyses the evolution of the wage share in income in Portugal between 1960 and 2017, proposing a grid for interpreting the evolution of the functional distribution in the Portuguese economy characterised by the existence of different periods. Depending on the period in question, the empirical results reveal the existence of strong and significant associations between the evolution of the functional distribution and the real GDP growth rate, the inflation rate and the unemployment rate, respectively. These results suggest the succession over time of different regimes regulating the functional distribution of income in the Portuguese economy, which shift from countercyclical to procyclical over the period under review. The article is organised as follows: after this introduction, section 2 briefly discusses the interest of functional income distribution analysis and its linkages with some other debates in economic theory and analysis; section 3 outlines the evolution of the functional distribution of income in the Portuguese economy in the decades since 1960 and its main trends over time; section 4 carries out a set of bivariate, multivariate and structural stability analyses in order to contribute to a better understanding of the determinants of such evolution; and section 5 concludes.
Quotation:
Abreu, Alexandre; July 2020; 3) “Acerca da repartição funcional do rendimento na economia portuguesa”; Notas Económicas, no. 50; 8) pp. 85-101.
Brief Paper 1/2001: A Nova Política Comercial Indiana
Abstract:
On 31 March 2000, the Indian government announced a set of measures that significantly alter this country’s trade policy, studied in A nova política comercial indiana (The New Indian Trade Policy). This is not, however, a surprise or a change of direction in relation to the general orientation of the economic policy of the recent past. This set of measures was foreseen some time ago and, moreover, partly stems from a WTO decision to that effect. On the other hand, the trend towards liberalisation – along the lines of the “Washington Consensus” – has dominated the Indian economic and political landscape since the early 1990s. Hitherto Indian trade policy was characterised by the existence of numerous and complex import barriers. Depending on the good concerned, these barriers took the form of quantitative restrictions, import licensing, tariffs or a complete ban on imports. Some of these restrictions were fully justified on environmental or safety grounds and will therefore remain in place. Others, however, were essentially a form of protectionism. The latter, particularly when they took the form of quantitative restrictions, conflicted with WTO rules. Thus, following a trade dispute between India and the US and subsequent WTO demand, quantitative restrictions on 714 of the 1429 types of goods that were subject to them were abolished. It is also expected that over the next two years many of the remaining restrictions will be removed or reduced, in particular all quantitative restrictions – with the exception, as already mentioned, of those for environmental or safety reasons – and a substantial part of customs duties.
Quotation:
Abreu, Alexandre. 2001. “A nova política comercial indiana”. Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão – CEsA Brief papers nº 1-2001.
