Territorial imbalances in Colombia: ¿Can they explain why Gustavo Petro became president?

Abstract

Introduction: Based on regional inequalities documented by economic historians related to land extension and use, this study aimed to associate them with economic growth and social development variables such as GDP, CCI, HDI, PI, and GINI. The goal was to gain a more comprehensive understanding of regional imbalances and to delve into each region’s administrative departments. As a parallel reference, the study proposes a link between these imbalances and the 2022 election results. Objective: To identify a development strategy for Colombia that integrates economic growth and social development, taking into account the historical inequalities in Colombian regions, using the Atlantic Coast, Central East, and West Regions as examples. Methods: This is a mixed-method research that combines growth and development rates with an interpretation based on the theory of potentials to evaluate and compare three Colombian regions. Results: The study reveals that regional development is multidimensional and that these imbalances must be addressed with a comprehensive approach. Conclusions: The research concludes the need to embark on agro-industrial projects with a sustainable focus on social economy, supported by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.