The Politics of Welfare in the Global South

This book serves as a comprehensive reference for conducting political analyses of emerging welfare systems in the Global South. These countries have adopted a development-oriented approach, distinct from the social policy trajectory observed in industrialized capitalist states. However, the pervasive influence of globalization since the 1990s has significantly reshaped policy priorities in these regions. Notably, political discourse surrounding social policy concepts developed in the Northern capitalist states has gained prominence. Irrespective of the geographical focus of the chapters, the book delves into fundamental social policy concepts and debates. These include the ongoing discourse between "universalism" and "selectivity," the challenges posed by the welfare residuum, the intricate role of institutional norms and apparatuses in achieving justice or engendering feelings of shame among social assistance recipients, and the examination of "absolute" and "relative" poverty. Additionally, the book investigates the pendulum shift within social welfare policies, the complex politics surrounding the portrayal of welfare recipients, and the newly established link between poverty and shame. Comprising 12 chapters, the book employs a case study-based approach to test the applicability and universality of social policy theories and concepts. The central focus lies in assessing the adaptability of concepts and theories developed in the Global North to comprehend the intricacies of welfare politics in the Global South. These case studies contribute to theoretical generalizations capable of explaining universal principles that are relevant to both the Global South and North.

Table of Contents:
Dedication Preface Sattwick Dey Biswas and Cleopas Gabriel Sambo: Chapter 1: The Politics of Welfare in the Global South: An Introduction Ivan Harsløf: Chapter 2: Exchanging Theories and Concepts on Welfare Policies between North and South Einar Øverbye: Chapter 3: What Kind of Welfare States Are on the Rise in the Global South? Lutz Leisering and Katrin Weible: Chapter 4: Constructing Social Rights for the Poor: Entitlements to Social Cash Transfers across the Global South Erika Gubrium: Chapter 5: Anti-Poverty Interventions across "Most Different" Settings: Considering Change over Time in Comparisons of Emotional Impact Jeremy Seekings: Chapter 6: Conditional and Unconditional Universalism: Normative Difference and the Slow Expansion of Social Protection in Africa Biao He, Rune Halvorsen, Peng Ding, and Wanhong Zhang: Chapter 7: Decentralization and Its Impacts on Disability Service Delivery in China: An Example of Providing Accessible Government Websites Cleopas Gabriel Sambo: Chapter 8: Gender in Welfare in the South: An Unruly Category? Heidi Bergsli: Chapter 9: Comparative Urbanism and Travelling Theory: Gentrification as a Global Urban Concept for Discussing Social Displacement and the Right to Wellbeing in the City Armando Barrientos: Chapter 10: The Politics of Social Protection in Latin America Sony Pellissery: Chapter 12: Conclusion: Subversion of the Anti-Politics Machine of Development: Emerging and Alternative Concepts of Citizenship in the South