The International Economy Effects on Inequality: Revisiting International Trade, Economic Complexity, and Foreign Direct Investment

This study investigates the relationship between proxies of the international economy and inequality. We focus on 17 Latin American countries during the period of 1991 to 2017. The results suggest the inexistence of a relationship between inequality and the independent variables, with some exceptions that reveal an indirect effect for upper income economies associated to trade and foreign direct investment, after redistributive policies. In the case of upper-middle income economies, findings show an indirect effect between inequality and economic complexity before taxes and transfers. In the end, the policy implications suggest that Latin American countries could openly participate in the international economy process without increasing the levels of inequality.