Avoiding Governors: Federalism, Democracy, and Poverty Alleviation in Brazil and Argentina

Fenwick analyzes poverty alleviation strategies in Brazil and Argentina to show how federalism affects the ability of a national government to sustain a conditional cash transfer program. She finds that broad institutional, structural, and political variables are more important than the technical design of programs, and that municipalities have contributed to the success of Bolsa Familia in Brazil.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Fenwick's study examines poverty alleviation strategies in Brazil and Argentina to demonstrate the impact of federalism on a national government's ability to sustain a conditional cash transfer program. To achieve this, she delves into the origins and growth of conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) in Latin America, analyzes the politics and evolution of specific programs in Brazil and Argentina, and employs extensive field research and empirical analysis to assess how federalism influences the delivery of CCTs.

One of Fenwick's significant findings is that the success or failure of CCTs is significantly influenced by broader institutional, structural, and political factors rather than solely the technical design of programs. Contrary to popular interpretations of Brazilian federalism, her analysis reveals that municipalities have played a crucial role in the relative success of Bolsa Familia and its ability to be implemented nationwide. This challenges the notion that federalism primarily promotes majoritarian democracy and highlights the importance of local actors in shaping social policy outcomes.

In contrast, Fenwick's study explores the challenges faced by Argentina in sustaining a conditional cash transfer program that relies on human capital investments. She argues that the structural, political, and fiscal incentives for national-local policy cooperation have not been sufficient to ensure the program's sustainability. This highlights the importance of effective governance and coordination between different levels of government in implementing poverty alleviation strategies.

Through her analysis, Fenwick concludes that municipalities can either facilitate or hinder a national government's ability to deliver targeted social policy goods and pursue a poverty alleviation strategy. By distinguishing municipalities as separate actors, she emphasizes the need for tailored policies and interventions that account for the unique dynamics and contexts of each local government.

Overall, Fenwick's study contributes to our understanding of the factors that shape the success and sustainability of poverty alleviation programs in Latin America. It highlights the importance of considering the broader institutional and political context in which these programs operate and emphasizes the role of local governments in shaping social policy outcomes.

Weight: 567g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268070595