Développement et inclusion. Vers un agenda social innovant en Amérique Latine

• Main Author: Chalmers LaRose
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association d'Economie Politique 2016-11-01
• Series: Interventions Économiques pour une Alternative Sociale
• Subjects: economic growth and development; social inclusion; income inequality; poverty; emerging market economies; social protection
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/interventionseconomiques/2911

This article deals with the social dimensions of economic growth. We undertake a general overview of the complex relationship between economic growth, inequality and poverty with evidence from Latin American countries, Brazil in particular.  The article highlights the crucial role of initial social inequality as connecting filter between economic growth and poverty reduction. We also analyse the potential effects of trends in growth evolution in the region on inequality and poverty reduction through the prism of public policies implemented by regional economic units. Distributive as well as corrective economic policies, in particular strengthening social security apparatus, most notably conditional cash transfers initiatives towards vulnerable social categories, have been thoroughly assessed and analysed. We found that the adoption of initial strategies and policies aiming at reducing inequality represent a fertile political building bridge that is essential and consequential in view of establishing an efficient shell against poverty within emerging Latin American economies.