Resumen

MORALES ESPINOZA, Agustín. Una interpretación del fenómeno Mercal desde la perspectiva teórica de la economía neoinstitucional. Agroalim [online]. 2007, vol.12, n.25, pp.45-61. ISSN 1316-0354.

This work has been carried out to analyze the transformation which is occurring in the Venezuela urban distribution system as a consequence of the conception and development of the public enterprise, called Mercal. In order to carry out this objective, it was first necessary to present the theoretical-conceptual framework that oriented its development.  Secondly, the context within which this state business came about is discussed. Then, the transformations that were produced in the referred to system were analyzed and at the same time, the implications of the presence of Mercal for the local economic agents in this system were determined. Finally, an interpretation of the Mercal «phenomena» is proposed within the previously established theoretical framework.

Palabras clave : Mercal; food policy; food distribution; neo-institutional economics; Venezuela.