The Political Economy of the Welfare State in Latin America: Globalization, Democracy, and Development

ISBN-13: 9780521871112 / Angielski / Twarda / 2007 / 342 str.

Alex Segura-Ubiergo

Opis

This book is one of the first attempts to analyze how developing countries through the early twenty-first century have established systems of social protection (i.e. pension and poverty programs, and public health and education systems) and how these systems have been affected by the recent processes of globalization (i.e. greater exposure to international trade and capital markets) and democratization. The book focuses on Latin American - a pioneer in social policies in the developing world - to identify factors associated with the evolution of welfare state policies during the pre-globalization period (1920-1979), and studies how globalization and democratization in the last 25 years have affected governments' fiscal commitment to social spending.

Recenzje

“Like quantum physics, if you think that you understand the political economy of the evolution of the welfare state, then you don't. So in either case-because you already know that you don't understand it, or because you mistakenly think you do-then you will greatly benefit from Alex Segura-Ubiergo's careful and insightful study. This book is an important and provocative piece on the evolution of the welfare state in Latin America, where, as in elsewhere, the conflicting pressures of globalization on social protection (increased demand vs. reduced effective provision) pose one of the most challenging social issues today. Moreover, the lessons drawn from this thorough research ought to be relevant for countries in all regions, and all stages of democracy and development.” -- Eduardo Ley, Lead Economist, World Bank

Spis treści

1. Introduction; 2. The historical evolution of welfare systems in Latin America: qualitative comparative analysis; 3. Theoretical framework and main hypotheses; 4. Determinants of social spending in Latin America: a time-series cross-section analysis, 1973–2003; 5. Chile: a classic Latin America welfare state under authoritarian stress (1973–89) and democratic revolution (1990–2000); 6. Costa Rica: globalization, gradual reform, and the politics of compensation, 1973–2002; 7. Peru: political instability, regime change and late economic reform in a (non-)welfare state, 1973–2002; 8. Conclusion: summary and final reflections on the sustainability and effectiveness of Latin American welfare systems.