Social Policy for Mature Neoliberalism: The Bolsa Família Programme in Brazil

Saad Filho, Alfredo

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.

Citation

Saad Filho, A. Social Policy for Mature Neoliberalism: The Bolsa Família Programme in Brazil. Development and Change, 46(6), 1227-1252. https://doi.org/10.1111/dech.12199

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Nov 3, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 9, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2016
• Journal: Development and Change
• Print ISSN: 0012-155X
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-7660
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1227-1252
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dech.12199