Moving Towards 'Developmental Welfare States'? The Transformation of Inequality Regimes in Brazil and South Africa

Beschreibung

The proposed contribution for the mini-conference is focusing on a comparative analysis of inequality-related policies in Brazil and South Africa. The theoretical framework is inspired by historical institutionalism and the strategic-relational approach (Jessop). In a historical analysis, the dominant historical heritages affecting the inequality regimes will be presented: Slavery in the case of Brazil and institutionalized racism in the case of South Africa. In Brazil, Lula's inauguration in 2003 was marked by a gradual shift away from neo-liberalism. Contours of an emerging 'developmental welfare state' led to the considerable reduction of income inequalities. These changes were accompanied by a new discourse of 'growth through redistribution'. Between 2006 and 2010, Brazilian development seemed to represent an interesting alternative, as poverty reduction boosted private consumption and a neo-keynesian virtuous circle seemed to open. In contrast, recent years have been marked by sluggish economic growth along with diminishing popularity of the political leadership. Nevertheless, the Brazilian development path has been marked by considerable improvements for the poor, while the richest sectors of society did not lose much of their share (as can be seen from the functional distribution of income).

Zeitraum	10 Juli 2014 → 12 Juli 2014
Ereignistitel	SASE Annual Conference. Mini Conference 9 'The Social Dimension of State Capitalism in the BRICs: Contentiousness and New Arenas of Concertation'
Veranstaltungstyp	Keine Angaben
Bekanntheitsgrad	International