The politics of social policy: welfare expansion in Brazil, China, India and South Africa in comparative perspective. Issue 3 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tillin, Louise; Duckett, Jane
• Is Part Of: Commonwealth & comparative politics. Volume 55:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 277
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Social policy -- welfare -- poverty -- inequality -- India -- Brazil -- China -- South Africa; Comparative government -- Periodicals; Institutions politiques comparées -- Périodiques; 320.9171241
• DOI: 10.1080/14662043.2017.1327925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-2043

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This introductory essay reviews the scholarship on the politics of social policy, and shows the contribution of the special issue to explaining expanded welfare commitments in Brazil, China, India and South Africa in the twenty-first century. Much literature on welfare expansion in lower- and middle-income contexts views it primarily as a policy corrective to the economic dislocations produced by global economic integration. This special issue focuses on the political factors that are critical to understanding the shape social policies have taken and their effectiveness in ameliorating poverty and inequality.