Construction of the financial inclusion agenda in light of the actor-network theory

Abstract

Th is article adopts the perspective of the actor-network theory to understand the role of the actors in the process of social construction of the fi nancial inclusion agenda, considering that agenda-setting can be seen as a continuous process of associations that involves diff erent mediators. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with representatives of the institutions involved in the process of agenda-setting examined, as well as from documentary sources. Th e dynamics of the process of developing the fi nancial inclusion agenda were analyzed considering the four moments (problematization, interessement, enrolment, and mobilization) presented in the relevant literature. Th e research found out that the fi nancial inclusion agenda in Brazil is the result of an incremental process, which was attended by a wide range of actors (government, market, developers and scholars, and also international actors) and it was infl uenced by some non-human elements, among which the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) stands out as the focal actor of the process.

Social fintechs: how the mission reflects the purpose of banking and social inclusion

“…There are certainly many advantages to nancial inclusion, but there are also risks, as to any user of digital services: data exposure and use, consumer protection, and, in the case of ntechs, a regulatory environment that is not yet well de ned. Sela, Gonzalez & Christopoulos (2020) say that the less advantaged public often has low nancial education, but if they have more accessible nancial resources, they can make misguided or risky decisions. Some groups are more vulnerable to the use of digital nancial services: young people who are in the transition from studies to the labor market, older people, women, small business entrepreneurs, immigrants, and people forcibly displaced from their territories (OECD, 2021b).…”

“…It was not possible to perceive a trend of integration between ntechs. Integration between various digital platforms, including digital social currencies, would be the best solution to drive public policies (Gonzalez et al, 2020).…”

Moedas complementares digitais e políticas públicas durante a crise da COVID-19

“…In fact, Banco Mumbuca, with its experience in programs aimed at assisting families ('bolsa Mumbuca') and individuals ('Programas Gestante' , 'Jovem Solidário' and 'Renda Básica de Cidadania') (Prefeitura Municipal de Maricá, 2020b), demonstrates the possibility of introducing a greater diversity of benefits to meet specific economic assistance policies. By going beyond payment systems, Mumbuca is promoting financial inclusion that can be defined as the access and use of financial products and services by the low-income population, generally excluded from the traditional financial system, in order to contribute to their quality of life (Mazumder & Lu, 2015;Roa, 2015;Sela, Gonzalez, & Christopoulos, 2020).…”