Brazilian Welfare in labyrinth. Fiscal debt, social debt, universalization, targeting, protection and incentives

Abstract

In this article it is analyzed the institutional and legal framework of the Brazilian Welfare-State, his history and validation in terms of efficiency/effectiveness reducing poverty and inequality. The actual framework is a result of different perspectives (called “geological layers”) with low articulation among them. Universal perspectives coexist with targeting programs and “positive discrimination” policies and programs. The system dynamic’s show a structural imbalance between income and expenditure in the context of financial balance of public policies. Brazil is living nowadays a deep debate about redesigning the social expenditure with financial balance.