Social policies and new governments in Argentina and Brazil: an assessment of the Universal Child Allowance (Asignación Universal por Hijo) and Family Grant (Bolsa Familia) programs

Abstract

The governments of Mauricio Macri in Argentina and Michel Temer in Brazil stood out on the South American scene for their attempt to make neoliberal economic measures (typical of the 1990s) compatible with the continuity of social policies reinforced during the progressive wave (first decade of the 21st century). Following this line, both presidents appealed to speeches in which they affirmed their concern for the social issue and promised to reduce poverty; to this end, they granted continuity to the main social programs implemented in the previous decade: the Universal Child Allowance (Asignación Universal por Hijo) and the Family Grant (Bolsa Familia). Focusing on the analysis of the above-mentioned social programs, it is argued that they have not only suffered budget cuts, but have also moved away from a rights-based approach, being applied in contexts of adjustment and recession. As a result, they would be considered as policies to contain social conflict, rather than instruments to improve the quality of life of their beneficiaries.