Can Cash Transfer Programmes Have 'Transformative' Effects?. Issue 8 (2nd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molyneux, Maxine; Jones, With Nicola; Samuels, Fiona
• Is Part Of: Journal of development studies. Volume 52:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 1087
• Page End: 1098
• Publication Date: 2016-08-02
• Subjects: Economic development -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Développement économique -- Périodiques; Histoire économique -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Pays en voie de développement -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2015.1134781
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0388

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cash transfers (CTs), for all their evident success in relieving poverty, have been criticised for failing to incorporate transformative elements into their programme design. In recent years changes have been introduced into the design of CT programmes that go some way towards addressing this concern. This article critically engages the meaning of transformative social protection and introduces a collection of papers that examine whether and under what conditions cash transfers can be 'transformative'. Among the issues addressed are whether CTs can be catalysts leading to positive changes, material, subjective and relational in the lives of poor people; what are the social effects of CTs for beneficiaries, their households and communities; and can they foster horizontal relationships within communities and vertical relationship with the state through developing forms of social accountability and citizenship engagement?