What is the role of social protection in fighting poverty and inequality, promoting development, social cohesion, and a social contract? Should social protection systems be designed to target only the poorest, or to protect entire populations in vulnerable phases of life? And how do international institutions, in particular the World Bank, influence the answers to these questions across the Global South?
Learn this and more in our conversation with economist Matthew Greenslade about his book "Beyond the World Bank: The Fight for Universal Social Protection in the Global South". In his book, he examines the role of international financial institutions – particularly the World Bank – in shaping social protection policies across low- and middle-income countries.
Greenslade traces how poverty-targeted approaches became dominant and how alternative models of universal social protection have been proposed, contested, and implemented in different political and economic contexts. Drawing on case studies from across the Global South, and through the life story of Stephen Kidd, who is a key person in the global fight for universal social protection, the book situates debates on social protection within broader questions about development, inequality, and state capacity.
In this event, Matthew Greenslade will discuss the central arguments of the book, its empirical foundations, and its implications for current policy debates. The conversation will address issues including:
- the role of the World Bank in policy design and financing
- the implications of targeted and universal approaches to social protection
Comments are given by Tomas Eneroth, president of ABF Sweden, former minister and member of the International Committee of the Swedish Parliament, with a special responsibility for issues relating to the World Bank.
The conversation is facilitated by Gunnel Axelsson Nycander, policy adviser at Act Church of Sweden, specialist in social protection in the Global South.
The event is intended for researchers, students, policymakers, and others interested in political economy, development, and social policy.
You can also see the event live here.
