ADDRESSING REGIONAL DISPARITY AND EQUITY OBJECTIVES THROUGH REGIONAL POLICIES - A SKEPTICAL PERSPECTIVE

Regional policies may be motivated by numerous objectives involving th e reduction of economic disparities. For example, they may be directed toward greater interpersonal and interfamily equity from a national p erspective, reduction of unemployment or the activation of underutiliz ed resources in economically lagging regions. However, the formulation and implementation of such policies face many conceptual and measurem ent difficulties. In view of these problems, the objectives of equity- oriented policies may be better addressed through non-spatial policies that target specific disadvantaged groups.