The failure of urban entrepreneurialism on patrimonial lands – the Rio de Janeiro of mega-events and the limits of peripheral neoliberalization

Based on a comparative perspective involving the growth machines that have propelled cities in US and recent experiences of urban localism spread across Europe, this paper analyzes specific path peripheral such as Rio de Janeiro followed adhering to model entrepreneurialism. It contends that, one side, due lack organization by economic agents other, insufficient state capacities, like been unable replicate either European pathway or implanting tenets With support case-study main interventions actors involved during mega-events Rio, study has developed hypothesis, according which, large extent, project entrepreneurial city was mainly hailed an ideological construct reiterated “rent-seeking” strategies part who, for decades, occupied central position commanding political economy city.