Making the Newest Citizens: Achieving Universal Birth Registration in Contemporary Brazil. Issue 3 (4th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hunter, Wendy; Sugiyama, Natasha Borges
• Is Part Of: Journal of development studies. Volume 54:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 397
• Page End: 412
• Publication Date: 2018-03-04
• 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: 10.1080/00220388.2017.1316378
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0388

Abstract

Abstract: Identity documentation is essential to secure the rights, benefits, and services that modern states provide. Historically, significant numbers of poor Brazilians lacked core documents, beginning with a birth certificate. In recent years the government has conducted a campaign to rectify this situation. We explore why the state left so many Brazilians without a birth certificate previously and why it became intent on registering all births, as reflected in recent efforts to facilitate the process. Key in this regard is the movement from a social policy orientation that excluded poor Brazilians in the informal sector to one aimed at including them.