%0 Journal Article %T Structural change and macrodynamic capabilities %A Araujo %A Ricardo Azevedo %A Teixeira %A Joan¨ªlio Rodolpho %J Nova Economia %D 2011 %I Federal University of Minas Gerais %R 10.1590/S0103-63512011000300001 %X in this paper we study some mechanisms that block a rapid diffusion of technological progress from advanced to underdeveloped countries. in order to accomplish this task we focus on two approaches that challenge the view that technological gaps between rich and poor nations are diminishing. the first is the structural economic dynamic approach and the second is the evolutionary view. both of them reveal that the elimination of technological gaps between rich and poor nations is more complex than what has been reported by the mainstream theory of economic growth. %K structural economic dynamics %K uneven development %K evolutionary approach %K engel's law. %U http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S0103-63512011000300001&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en