Suchergebnisse

The nature & implications of recent developments in Latin American welfare states are discussed, with a particular focus on Chile, Brazil, Argentina, & Costa Rica. Social policy in Latin America is currently divided between the neoliberal model, characterized by market-driven forces, privatization, individualism, & expansion of inequality, & the social democratic model, which emphasizes market control, public provision of services, & increased equality. Although all of Latin America experienced a similar economic crisis during the 1980s, different countries adopted vastly diverse social & economic policies in reaction. Chile pursued the most radical neoliberal strategies resulting in a short-term improvement in capital markets & long-term threats to the social & economic security of a rapidly expanding poor &/or unemployed population. Brazil implemented a selective mix of neoliberal & social democratic policies, while Costa Rica moved toward a universalistic welfare state. Despite the advantages & necessity of welfare-oriented development strategies, it is suggested that these policies cannot succeed without increased state revenues. The specific requirements of a Latin American welfare strategy are briefly reviewed. 8 Tables, 63 References. T. Sevier

Abstract This article provides an overview of the profound changes in the more advanced welfare states in Europe and Latin America over the past 35 years. Deindustrialization, informalization, and the rise of unstable employment, combined with aging populations rendered traditional employment-based models of social protection less effective and at the same time increased demands on the welfare state. The two main responses to these challenges were efforts at cost containment and inclusion in non-contributory social protection schemes and health services of those in marginal labor market positions. The mix of these two responses and the depth of the changes were shaped by the intensity of the economic and demographic pressures, policy legacies, the partisan preferences of governing parties and coalitional constraints, the strength of groups in civil society, the presence of veto points in the political system, and in Latin America the process of democratization, along with the international context. A broad comparison between Latin America and Europe highlights the importance of the international context in the form of a relentless pursuit of neoliberal models by the International Financial Institutions in Latin America in contrast to the model of Social Europe promoted by the European Union.

AbstractDieser Beitrag analysiert den Ausbau der Sozialpolitik, welcher aktuell in den am weitesten entwickelten Ländern Lateinamerikas und Ostasiens zu beobachten ist. In den letzten drei Jahrzehnten begünstigten verschiedene wirtschaftliche Entwicklungen den Ausbau sozialpolitischer Instrumente und Leistungen. Das Politikerbe aus vorherigen Zeiten beeinflusst die aktuelle sozialpolitische Entwicklung und wird im Folgenden untersucht. Demokratische Phasen führten zu einer Stärkung von politischen Parteien und Interessengruppen, welche als Hauptakteure die Entwicklung der Sozialpolitik vorantrieben. Insbesondere linke Parteienherrschaft ist ein Schlüssel, um die Entwicklung von Wohlfahrtsstaaten zu erklären. In Lateinamerika kann die Zunahme von Regierungspar­teien aus dem Mitte-Links-Spektrum zum Teil die Wende hin zu universalistischen sozialpolitischen Policies erklären. Der verzögerte Ausbau des Wohlfahrtsstaates in Ostasien steht in Verbin­dung mit der dortigen Schwäche linker Parteien.