II PND AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF THE INDUSTRY IN THE NORTHEAST

Abstract

The Second National Development Plan (II PND) represents a pivotal moment in Brazilian economic policy, implemented during the military regime from 1975 to 1979. The plan was designed to modernize the country’s infrastructure, diversify its industrial base, and promote national integration by addressing regional economic disparities, particularly in the Northeast. Prior to the II PND, the Northeast had already been the target of several development policies but remained predominantly agrarian with low levels of industrialization. Therefore, the plan sought to decentralize industrial activities, leading to the establishment of key industries such as petrochemicals and steel in the region, which acted as catalysts for regional development. This study explores the relationship between the II PND and the economic transformation of the Northeast, emphasizing how the plan's policies facilitated industrial deconcentration and the creation of new industrial complexes. The analysis focuses on the effectiveness of these policies in promoting regional equity and sustaining long-term economic growth. Using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates economic analysis, historical review, and public policy evaluation, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of the II PND's impact on the Northeast’s development. The results indicate that, although the II PND made significant contributions to the industrialization of the region, challenges remain in achieving balanced and sustained regional development.