ABSTRACT
This paper shows the basic conceptions of the underlining ideas supporting clustering policies and explains their origins and justifications, for playing an important role on economic development. It is argued that, although they were fostered while liberal ideas were hegemonic, the concepts that give support to clustering policies are not based on this ideology only. They also seek support from ideas that accept public interventions on the economy. This means that one of the most efficient strategies to promote economic development nowadays has skeptical attitudes in relation to several liberal precepts.
KEYWORDS:
clustering; industrial hubs; industrialization
