Six decades of Pole of Growth Theory: A review necessary

The theory of poles of growth appeared in a seminal work of François Perroux in 1955 and had a great influence on the Latin American thought in the decades of 1960 and 1970 as an important tool for reducing regional inequalities. In Brazil was no different. By possessing an extensive territory, with depressed regions and with an economy that is highly concentrated in the Southeast region of the country, especially in São Paulo, the theory of the Poles was used as a way to mitigate latent regional problems. Proof of the importance of the theory of the poles can be proven through the urban and Regional Planning seminar on Latin America organized by the Latin American Institute of Economic and Social Planning (ILPES) in 1972 in Chile in which is discussed widely its validity for Latin American economies. However, as noted by Boisier (1980) are there really growth Poles? Will attend the funeral of the theory? Does the theory of the poles is dead? At the conclusion of this same work Boisier (1980) responds to this question stating that NO, the theory of the poles is not dead, but no doubt has experienced a profound metamorphosis. Given these changes, metamorphoses, refinements and due to the importance of the theory of the Poles in economic science this investigation aims to take stock about the Theory of the growth Poles in the last 60 years (1955-2015), seeking to identify the context of its emergence, its theoretical influences, as well as their main criticisms or shortcomings, ending with the possibility of application of the theory in the present day in a globalized economy and environment oligopolizada. The problem of research that guides all of the work is: As poles of growth theory can be applied in regional analysis in the context of recent economic science? The overall objective is to identify which tools of the theory can still be applied in regional analysis and which need better refinement. The methodology used bibliographical research concerning the major publications on the theory in the last 40 years. About the work of Perroux, the research focused on their jobs 'Economic Space', 'the poles of growth', the concept of 'growth Poles' and 'Driving firm in a region and the Driving Region'. The main conclusion of this study is that the theory of the Poles still represents an important tool of regional analysis.