By Armando Barrientos, Professor Emeritus of Poverty and Social Justice at the Global Development Institute
Discussions surrounding how Latin American states can support less advantaged citizens have often looked to European 'welfare states' as exemplary models for reducing inequality and tackling poverty. Chile's young President Gabriel Boric, for example, ran an election campaign built on promises to dismantle neoliberalism through increased public spending and 'welfare state' provisions, among other things.
In some ways, it's easy to see why the 'welfare state' model is appealing. Nordic countries, for example, are often praised for their universalist approach, providing a strong financial safety net for citizens, as well as promoting equal opportunities through well-funded public services.
But what if 'welfare states' represent the exception to the rule when it comes to supporting less advantaged people throughout the world? What if the uneven nature of capitalist development means Latin American states cannot usefully implement some of Europe's tried-and-tested welfare mechanisms? This article explores how theorists of social protection can better understand and address such a problem.
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