Discuss the policies of the Brazilian government to control poverty.

QUESTION:

The developing countries followed the performance of Brazil, the largest and most populous country in Latin America. Brazil is an important member of the G-20 economies and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries. Many Brazilians have been frustrated with the uneven pace of development and Brazil has even been cited as an example of a country that has experienced “growth without development.” Despite huge inequities, Brazil has made economic and social progress and should not be tarred with the same brush as countries such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, or Gabon which have had less social development for their levels of growth and investment. Brazil experienced two decades of military rule till 1985, resulting in debt problems, stagnant incomes, and high inflation. However, Brazilian feel relief after 2004 as a result of signs of palpable progress. Despite the economic improvement in the recent era, the poverty/inequality level is not up to the mark in Brazil as compared to an upper-middle-income country.

Requirements:

Being a student of development economics, you are required to read the complete case study from the textbook “Economic Development”, 12th Edition by Michael P. Todaro and Stephen C. Smith entitled “Progress in the Struggle for more Meaningful Development: Brazil” given at the end of Chapter # 01. Discuss the policies of the Brazilian government to control poverty.

ANSWER:

Michael Paul Todaro and Stephen C. Smith (Development Economist) – Development is not purely an economic phenomenon but rather a multi-dimensional process involving reorganization and reorientation of the entire economic and social system. Development is the process of improving the quality of all human lives with three equally important aspects.

POLICIES OF THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL POVERTY

Bolsa Familia

Brazil has been very successful in alleviating much of its own poverty, particularly through a government program called Bolsa Familia. Through Bolsa Familia, parents receive monthly stipends to send their children to school and for health check-ups.

The current government unabashedly promotes this program in several Brazilian slums.

Brazil without misery

The program has lifted nearly 22 million Brazilians out of extreme poverty in the four years since its success. Like Bolsa Familia, a poverty-free Brazil is based on three stages of access to public assistance, better education, health, and productive inclusion. Brazil Without Poverty focuses not only on alleviating poverty in Brazil but also on ensuring the rights of Brazilian citizens.

Zero Hunger Program

Brazil's zero hunger program was launched to financially support farmers to feed school children. The program reduced child malnutrition from 12.7% to 3.5% and reduced child mortality.