From Fome Zero to Bolsa Famíla: intragovernmental disputes in the decision of a public policy

• Main Author: Victor Hugo Barboza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Research and Studies Blog 2021-02-01
• Series: BRaS Blog
• Subjects: research notes
• Online Access: https://bras-center.com/from-fome-zero-to-bolsa-famila-intragovernmental-disputes-in-the-decision-of-a-public-policy/

In 2002, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was elected President, after presenting in his campaign the fight against inequality through the Fome Zero Program as his main agenda. However, due to political, economic, and social differences within the Workers' Party, a coalition who advocated a structurally simpler program than Fome Zero was formed. This group defended a direct income transfer program, in which the receiving family would not necessarily have to spend on food, but on the needs of any source. Because of this, an intra-party conflict happened in 2003 between the “Food Security” coalition, which was an advocate of the Fome Zero Program, and the “Basic Income” coalition, to determine which type of public policy should remain a priority in the fight against hunger in Brazil.