ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION 

Neoliberalization and Inequality: Examining Regional Patterns, Household Dynamics, and Lived Experiences in Mozambique 

by JULIE A. SnVA 

Dissertation Director: 
Dr. Robin M. Leichenko 


This dissertation examines the relationship between structural reforms and soc~oeconomicdisparities in Mozambique at the individual, household, and regional levels of geographic analysis. Mozambique has attempted to address its extreme poverty by implementing neoliberal policies that encourage rural market involvement and specialization. However important questions remain about how these reforms affect inequality in emerging economies, especially at the subnational level. Moreover, there is little empirical evidence on how experiences and impacts of economic change are influenced by gender at different geographic scales. Employing both quantitative and qualitative techniques wihn a multi-scalar framework, this research investigates individual experiences of inequality and household dynamics within the context of broader regional economic trends. The methodology is an important advance because dynamtc processes like inequality are produced and performed across multiple scales and in a variety of ways. Findings ftom this study suggest that the economic activities promoted by neoliberal policies have an enhancing effect on inequality at the individual, 

household, and regional levels. The magnitude of these effects appears strongest at the more detailed geographical scales. Findings also show that higher literacy rates and education levels are associated with lower levels of socioeconomic inequality. While research findings suggest that rural market involvement increases household incomes, the very policies that succeed in reducing absolute poverty may contribute to growing social disparities and income polarization. Moreover, govemment efforts to measure levels of socioeconomic disparity must be sensitive to the scale-dependent nature of the market- inequality relationship. For example, regional studies may miss the social costs of market participation that erode informal social safety networks as described in the case study component of this study. Taken together, the findings from this study suggest that the Mozambican government may want to combat inequality via social policy, such as literacy campaigns, without drawing back entirely from market-based strategies to reduce absolute poverty. 

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