Assessing disarticulation has extraordinary importance for the formulation of an alternative policy instrument aimed at achieving growth with equity. The impact of disarticulation on food consumption, a measurement of population well being, is tested. It is hypothesized that higher levels of disarticulation are associated with decreasing levels of food consumption. A sample of 65 Third World countries is examined. Various complementary measurements of disarticulation and food consumption are tested.
Preliminary results render support to the hypothesized relationship.
The paper concludes by suggesting some alternative methodological strategies to approach the measurement of disarticulation in future research. Finally, the political connotation of implementing specific measures tending to decrease the disarticulated character of Third World economies are discussed. For the past 150 years, the Soconusco region's coffee and coffee production have been intertwined with foreign markets and capital. This relationship continues to this day. At the present time, however, we are witnessing a realignment of this linkage which has brought about, besides the traditional dependence on foreign markets, new features associated with economic globalization.