Social Policy for Neoliberalism: The Bolsa Família Programme in Brazil

Abstract

The Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) is one of the largest conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes in the world. CCTs have been described as a ‘magic bullet’ for development, and PBF is widely regarded as an exemplary programme. Examination of its conceptual underpinnings, features, impact and limitations shows that PBF provides substantial income support to the poorest. However, PBF is also self‐limiting and it can offer only limited long‐term gains to the poor. More significant outcomes require the expansion of the scope of PBF and other social programmes towards the universalization and decommodification of social provision in Brazil.

Strategies of conditional cash transfers and the tactics of resistance

“…Since PBF was launched by the Workers' Party in 2003 it has combined with other federal social assistance policies (many related to housing), along with annual incremental adjustments to the minimum wage, to greatly alter Brazil's political and economic landscape (Saad-Filho, 2015). It should be noted that in addition to the questions of state governance addressed in this article, elected officials and their political campaigns are also important for shaping PBF.…”

“…Critical scholars have considered their efficacy in terms of poverty reduction (Handa and Davis, 2006;Soares et al, 2010), as well as their broader political economic and governance ramifications (Fenwick, 2009;Seekings, 2012). While some researchers see potential in CCTs for increasing access to citizenship rights (Hall, 2013;Hunter and Sugiyama, 2014;Sany and Daudelin, 2013), others are more critical, suggesting that CCTs offer only the barest financial assistance and can work in subtle ways to further marginalize poor people (Saad-Filho, 2015;Standing, 2011).…”

The Rise and Irrelevance of the State: Political Views from a Peasant Community of the 2016 Peruvian Presidential Election

“…Such social spending, credited with relieving poverty, has been heavily promoted internationally. Adopted by governments across the political spectrum, it also reflects a neoliberal bent by facilitating low wages and inequality, as Saad‐Filho () shows for Brazil. Proponents of cash transfers and social pensions argue that they support local development because beneficiaries either invest in productive activities or pass money on to kin who do so (Caritas ; Ferguson ; Hanlon, Barrientos, and Hulme ).…”

Reformism, Class Conciliation and the Pink Tide: Material Gains and Their Limits

“…Moreover, given the small amount of the benefits provided, in most cases poverty vulnerability has not been adequately addressed, and improvements in the labour market were more important in reducing inequality. Finally, cheap though they might be, their cost-effectiveness is by no means demonstrated, given leakages and higher administrative costs as compared to universal programmes (Saad-Filho 2015). The extension of CCTs can thus be considered a welcome, if far from sufficient, development.…”

“…This continental movement, known as the 'Pink Tide', made use of particularly positive global conditions to deliver material gains. Relatively fast growth rates in central countries, the strong Chinese demand for commodities underpinning its breakneck development and abundant international liquidity combined to benefit low-and middle-income economies (Saad-Filho 2013). Left-leaning Latin American governments capitalised on this moment to implement economic planning initiatives and novel welfare policies, such as conditional cash transfers (CCTs).…”