Crafting Policies to End Poverty in Latin America The Quiet Transformation [Hardcover]

This book provides a theory and evidence explaining the initial decision of governments to adopt a conditional cash transfer program.This book provides a theory and evidence to explain the initial decision of governments to adopt a conditional cash transfer program (the most prominent type of antipoverty program currently in operation in Latin America), and whether such programs are insulated from political manipulations or not.This book provides a theory and evidence to explain the initial decision of governments to adopt a conditional cash transfer program (the most prominent type of antipoverty program currently in operation in Latin America), and whether such programs are insulated from political manipulations or not.This book provides a theory and evidence to explain the initial decision of governments to adopt a conditional cash transfer program (the most prominent type of antipoverty program currently in operation in Latin America), and whether such programs are insulated from political manipulations or not. Ana Lorena De La O shows that whether presidents limit their own discretion or not has consequences for the survival of policies, their manipulation, and how effective they are in improving the lives of the poor. This book is the first of its kind to present evidence from all Latin American CCTs.1. Introduction; 2. The universe of cash transfer programs; 3. The politics of fighting poverty; 4. Explaining policy adoption and design; 5. Explaining policy outcomes; 6. Conditional cash transfers and clientelism; 7. The electoral bonus of conditional cash transfers; 8. Conclusions. Smart, crisp, and well focused, this book explains why Latin American governments adopted conditional cash transfer programs and assesses the varying outcomes of these programs in reducing poverty and containing clientelism. De La O admirably combines the comparative analyses of these policies with insightful studies of the behavior of both voters and presidents.
Jorge I. Dlƒg