Suchergebnisse

The conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme Bolsa Família (Family Allowance), introduced in Brazil in 2003, is one of the largest such programmes in the world. Bolsa Família has played a role in the recent reduction of poverty and income inequality in Brazil. But what has been its impact on democracy? An assumption in the literature on social policy, derived from the European experience, is that targeted programmes such as Bolsa Família divide citizens, erode trust between citizens and between citizens and the state, and weaken democracy. This article challenges that assumption, showing that there is considerable evidence that Bolsa Família has strengthened the citizenship rights of the poor and enhanced democracy. The Brazilian experience suggests that, in highly unequal developing countries under conditions of 21st-century capitalism, the argument that targeted social programmes will inevitably undermine democracy is incorrect.

Dilma Rousseff became the first female President of Brazil at the beginning of 2011. How is Brazil faring under President Dilma? How will Dilma's government cope as it attempts to preserve and extend the accomplishments of the prior government of President Lula? While continuity of personnel and policies between Lula and Dilma is the watchword of the new government, continuity is not synonymous with lack of change. This introduction to a series of articles in Critical Sociology analyses some of the changes taking place. It first looks at conflicting interpretations of the legacy of President Lula. Then it summarizes the other articles on Brazil in the issue, which focus on macroeconomic policy, trade, defence, human rights, public security, environmental policy, media regulation and culture. In these policy areas, there has been a continuation of the mildly progressive reformist legacy of the Lula years, but also the emergence of new problems.