The Political Economy of the Welfare State in Latin America
Globalization, Democracy, and Development

This book studies the growth of social welfare systems in Latin America since 1979.

Alex Segura-Ubiergo (Author)

9781107410664, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 October 2012

342 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 kg

“Like quantum physics, if you think that you understand the political economy of the evolution of the welfare state, then you don't. So in either case-because you already know that you don't understand it, or because you mistakenly think you do-then you will greatly benefit from Alex Segura-Ubiergo's careful and insightful study. This book is an important and provocative piece on the evolution of the welfare state in Latin America, where, as in elsewhere, the conflicting pressures of globalization on social protection (increased demand vs. reduced effective provision) pose one of the most challenging social issues today. Moreover, the lessons drawn from this thorough research ought to be relevant for countries in all regions, and all stages of democracy and development.” -- Eduardo Ley, Lead Economist, World Bank

This book is one of the first attempts to analyze how developing countries through the early twenty-first century have established systems of social protection, and how these systems have been affected by the processes of globalization and democratization. The book focuses on Latin America to identify factors associated with the evolution of welfare state policies during the pre-globalization period prior to 1979, whilst studying how globalization and democratization have affected governments' fiscal commitment to social spending. In contrast with the Western European experience, more developed welfare systems evolved in countries relatively closed to international trade, while the recent process of globalization that has swept the region has put substantial downward pressure on social security expenditures. Health and education spending has been relatively protected from greater exposure to international markets and has actually increased substantially with the shift to democracy.

1. Introduction
2. The historical evolution of welfare systems in Latin America: qualitative comparative analysis
3. Theoretical framework and main hypotheses
4. Determinants of social spending in Latin America: a time-series cross-section analysis, 1973–2003
5. Chile: a classic Latin America welfare state under authoritarian stress (1973–89) and democratic revolution (1990–2000)
6. Costa Rica: globalization, gradual reform, and the politics of compensation, 1973–2002
7. Peru: political instability, regime change and late economic reform in a (non-)welfare state, 1973–2002
8. Conclusion: summary and final reflections on the sustainability and effectiveness of Latin American welfare systems.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], Comparative politics [JPB], Political science & theory [JPA], Social theory [JHBA]