Introduction
Latin America is one of the most unequal region of the world. Inequality in the region could be traced far back to the Spanish colonial era. Due to the mercantilist political economy of the Spaniards, certain groups such as the European elites, merchants and wealthy landed classes were favoured through the provision of rents while others –natives and slaves –were neglected (Mahoney 2010, 21).
However, in recent years, Latin American countries including Brazil have been on the forefront in the battle against poverty and inequality. Efforts by the ‘left governments’ that came to power in the early 2000’s in reducing poverty and inequality have been hailed across the world, especially by the United Nations (UN) and its agencies. Among others, the establishment of conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs by various governments in the region, expansion of social services in sectors such as health (Family health program in Brazil) and education to social classes that have previously been sidelined have contributed to the significant fall in the level of poverty and inequality in the region. Most countries in the region are currently at the forefront, in terms of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) –a testimony to the effectiveness of the newly established social programs in the region.
In Brazil, social development through the creation and expansion of social services have been the main focus of the ‘left party’ since early 2000’s. In particular, the establishment of Bolsa Familia- a CCT program with the aim of transferring cash to poor families in the country, with the condition that children attend school and health clinic on a regular basis have been praised and widely attributed to the sharp decline i...
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...ocial Protection Discussion Paper no. 0709, May 2007
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The Latin American economic model prevented much change in the countries that it affected. While the model allowed countries such as Argentina to succeed for a time, the long-term results are unsatisfactory. With all of these factors considered, it is not surprising that Latin America is stricken with poverty and inequality.
De Lourdes Rollemberg Mollo, Maria and Alfredo Saad-Filho. "Neoliberal Economic Policies in Brazil (1994 – 2005): Cardoso, Lula and the Need for a Democratic Alternative." New Political Economy March 2006: 99-123.
The cultural side being how a person is raised and the values that come from that. Whereas the structural side is based mostly in the government. However, as the article progresses, it becomes clear that Haskins and Sawhill lean more toward the cultural aspect rather than the structural side. The authors inform the reader of the structural issues that worsen poverty. Nevertheless, a great deal of the ideas Haskins and Sawhill introduce in the article are culturally based. Motivation and tradition seem to be the article’s main focus when it comes to culture. The motivation that comes from within, to the traditional family home, which instills the correct values. A family’s structure is an intricate part of the cultural side of poverty. Whether a child has one parent, especially a mother, or two
Brazil is an enormous and diverse country with a long and turbulent history, and an economy that reflects this. With the seventh largest GDP in the world and a population of over 200 million, no discussion of Brazil is without political or economic significance, both for its people and for the world as a whole. As such, inequalities in income (also reflected in geography, race and gender) certainly matter, and must be a key concern for those who promote the development of the country; these gaps mean that poor members of society gain nominally less from growth, although figures show relative gains , an outcome which is undesirable for various economic, social and ethical reasons. Brazil’s development gaps, including its flagrantly high income inequality, but also its deficient infrastructure, political and social problems, have deep but traceable origins in political institutions.
Clements, Benedict. "The Real Plan, Poverty, and Income Distribution In Brazil." IMF.org. IMF, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. .
Health care in Brazil became a major issue between the years 1985-1988 (Nascimento, 2013). The citizens took notice that a large gap between health care services provided to the wealthy and services provided to the rest of the population existed. Health care in Brazil became a right to all citizens in 1988 and the Sistema Unico de Saude- SUS (Unified Health Care System) was established (Nascimento, 2013). Citizens are able to purchase private insurance provided that they can afford it. The Brazilian health care system is funded by the government through social security, taxes, and those employed by the government. This system was instituted during a time in the nation’s history that was politically and economically unstable. The Family health Program was established in 1994 (Nascimento, 2013). Preventative care is this primary focus of this program. The government sets up community health centers that are financed through the government. Nurses, primary care physicians, and medical assistants. The program is commended for being efficient. The program solves 85% of health related problems (Nascimento, 2013). Cost, quality, and access to care still remain a challenge to the Brazilian health care system. Although improvements have been made, impacts on women and maternal child health, the elderly, and increasing cases of many non-communicable diseases create many disparities.
“Capitalism is a world system. But some of its parts have more than their share of leadership.”(Cardoso xxi). Latin America, like much of the third and second world has received far lesser dividends from the fruits of capitalism. In fact due to its close geographic location to the united states and its strong early history of colonialism Latin America is a shining example of how economic dependency has evolved. From its moment liberation Latin America has been seen as a economic tool by the west, particularly by the USA, and continues to be economically dominated to this day. From the Eve of conquest the region has used its economic power mostly to the benefit of another nation.
Globalisation has been crucial to the economic and social development of Brazil. In the late twentieth century Brazil face years of economic, political and social instability experiencing high inflation, high income inequality and rapidly growing poverty. However after a change of government in the 1990s and large structural changes in both the economic and social landscapes, the brazilian economy has been experiencing a growing middle class and reduced income gap. Since the start of the 21st century, brazil has benefitted from the move to a more global economy.
Samuel Seium. Brazilians started to immigrant to the United States of America in large numbers during the 1980s. The main reason for the immigration has been over economic reasons because in America they can receive higher wages and a lower cost of living. Brazil’s economy is now one of the most successful in the world. However, In America, a Brazilian can make four times more money working the same job. Brazilians were also interested in being able to increase their savings accounts in America so they can live comfortably during retirement. More people in Brazil are receiving a college education than ever before. However, the job market in Brazil has not grown to include these graduates so the market is leaving many qualified individuals struggling
In 1958, Oscar Lewis began to research the subject of poverty, the results of which provided the foundation for his theory “The Culture of Poverty.” Lewis’ research revealed that those living in poverty displayed an ongoing pattern which was passed on through generations and therefore, their social trajectory was predictable. Data was collected from families in Mexico and Puerto Rico and Lewis (1966) documented the observations made on aspect of these groups of families, including “residence and employment history of each adult, family relations; income and expenditure; complete inventory of household and personal possessio...
Brazil has many developmental goals they have hoped to attain. Economic policy since the late 1960s has had three prime objectives: control of inflation, gradual improvement of the welfare of the poorest sector, and a high economic growth rate (Encyclopedia of Nations). Also there are the Millennium Development Goals set out by the United Nations to developing countries, such as, reducing poverty, increase education gender equality, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, combat diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and devel...
The changes of educational policies in Brazil can be examined by looking at the many different parties that have taken over Brazil throughout the years. During the time of the Old Republic, there was a strong relationship of clientelism and agrarian oligarchies. The result of this oligarchy created diverse educational policies that only benefited the elite. However, at the end of the Old Republic and beginning of the Vargas era, Vargas was mainly interested in industrialization and modernization, with education falling behind his true interests. After the end of the Vargas era and the beginning of the Fourth Republic, there was a strong increase of educational backwardness. Under the leadership of president Jucelino Kubitscheck, Brazil’s primary funding went towards energy, transportation, industry, and education, with education only receiving around 3% of total investments. Briefly in 1964, Brazil was apart of a military dictatorship. During this time, education was seen as an important part of the development program, however, there was no funding towards secondary education. This lack of funding contributed to the division among social classes. The lack of funding towards secondary education only affected those of lower income while the rich continued to progress in their education, receiving higher-paying jobs. It is evident that throughout the years the best interests of citizens of Brazil have not been taken to heart, with those in power taking advantage of average
These programmes exhibit considerable diversity in terms of objectives and programme design. They can take the form of pure income transfers, like in the case of South Africa’s Child Support Grant, whereas other countries have adopted a different approach consisting in linking income transfers with basic service provision. For example, Mexico’s Oportunidades (previously known as Progresa), and Brazil’s Bolsa Familia, which provides income transfers to poor households on condition that they regularly send their children to school and that household members attend health clinics. In fewer countries, like in the case of Chile Solidario, income transfers are combined with a wide range of interventions in health, education, employment, and housing. Our focus on social protection programmes directly focusing on childr...