Abstract
Research background: The processes of economic convergence observed in many devel-oping countries are characterized by reduction of economic differences on the cross-country level, which are accompanied by growing internal economic inequalities. This may stem from the fact that in the catching-up countries a more dynamic growth pattern is observed in the economically strongest regions, which is initially reflected in spatial polarization and increasing regional inequalities. However, just as the countries reach higher levels of devel-opment, the diffusion of growth-inducing impulses to less-developed areas should lead to the spatial equalizing of the development levels and reducing regional inequalities.
 Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to determine the relationship be-tween the level of economic growth and observed economic inequalities in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. The theoretical framework adopted to describe and explain those relations is the so-called Williamson?s hypothesis in which the relationship between the scale of regional inequalities and economic growth is illustrated by a curve shaped like an inverted U.
 Methods: The research procedure was intended to verify William-son?s hypothesis by estimating parabolic econometric models. Indicators of economic growth along with measure of regional inequalities (Williamson?s coefficient of variation) were used in the regression modeling. The research period spanned the years 1995-2014.
 Findings & Value added: In the light of the study of CEE countries, it was possible to observe both convergence symptoms as well as divergence tendencies. It can be thus stated that the analyzed CEE countries followed a similar path to the one observed earlier by Wil-liamson in other developing countries. However, the analyses conducted by the authors at the national and regional levels of CEE countries were equivocal and did not fully support the theoretical assumptions of Williamson?s hypothesis.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.