The evolution of structural adjustment and stabilization policy in Jamaica

Includes bibliography

Social dimensions of macroeconomic policy: report of the Executive Committee on Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations

Introduction The social agenda is long-term in nature, in the sense that poverty alleviation along with a better distribution of income, wealth and opportunities are long-term goals. A sound macroeconomic policy, on the other hand, has to do largely with the consistent management of short-term policy instruments pursuing a sustainable and predictable pace for aggregate economic variables and major prices (wages, inflation, interest rates and exchange rates). In spite of the different arena and rationale in which they play, there are strong links between the two. First and most obvious, macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform are more likely to be sustainable when they are equitable. Second, social intervention —i.e., policies, programmes and reforms aimed at improving social performance in the long run—, needs stable funding which is not always available in view of macroeconomic constraints. Third, macroeconomic instability —especially episodes of recession or hyperinflation— increases poverty and inequality, while restoring macroeconomic equilibrium does not restore previous social balances. Finally, there is no unique macroeconomic policy mix to tackle a given situation, and the policy options may not be neutral from a social standpoint. Monetary, fiscal and exchange rate policies, together with structural reform, have major consequences for the social wellbeing of societies, not only in terms of protection against shocks and crises but also in terms of equity. Many, if not all, of the necessary social policies are of a domestic nature. This report thus concentrates on domestic strategies aimed at maximizing the linkages between consistent macroeconomic policies and social progress. Pursuing them, however, depends to a considerable extent on the international enabling environment in which the global financial system, the unsettled debt crisis and increasing ODA flows play a significant role. Countries operate in a world economy where market players everywhere immediately scrutinize domestic monetary, financial or fiscal policy decisions and the performance of exchange rate regimes of individual countries. Under these conditions, the room for manoeuvre of policymakers has become considerably constrained. Consequently, it is becoming increasingly complex to incorporate the social dimensions into such policy decisions, to the extent that external analysts consider that authorities are sacrificing sound macroeconomic policies. The main message of the report is that the expediency of short-term economic efficiency as embedded in much of the advice on macroeconomic stability needs to be tempered by long-term development objectives. The report starts with a short historical background which describes the ascendancy of macroeconomic policies over social development policies (chapter I). It continues with an evaluation of the relation between macroeconomic consistency and social effort (chapter II), and the importance of sustainable and stable growth for social progress (chapter III). The report then turns to the need for an equity-enhancing growth strategy (chapter IV) and an analysis of the priorities of social policies in an integrated approach to growth (chapter V). The final chapter adds some final institutional remarks.

Growth, distributive justice and social policy

Includes bibliography

Making infrastructure reform in Latin America work for the poor

Includes bibliography

Tax reform for human development in Central America

Includes bibliography

Directions for the reform process in the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Fiscal trends and policy issues and implications for the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Tax policy in Latin America: Assessment and guidelines for a second generation of reforms

Includes bibliography

Meeting held on engendering macroeconomic policy

.--Home.--Meeting on engendering macroeconomic policy.--Are macroeconomic policies gender neutral?.--Women, Men and Poverty.--UNDP support for a gender-responsive macroeconomic development planning in the Caribbean.--COMMENTARY: Males and females are victims of marginalisation.--Legislative reform project on Family Law and Domestic Violence.--Gender Focal Points in regional organisations and institutions.

Saúde mental: a roda viva da política pública do estado do Pará

Ao longo das últimas décadas diversos países, inclusive o Brasil têm implementado políticas de atenção em saúde mental, baseadas no elemento central comum de alteração do eixo da atenção do hospital para a comunidade, objetivando a continuidade do cuidado e a atenção integral, um processo de se costuma denominar de Reforma Psiquiátrica. Buscando compreender qual o modelo de assistência aplicado no Pará entre 2007 e 2010, o tradicional, manicomial ou o da reforma psiquiátrica e quais os resultados da política em termos de impacto?” esta pesquisa foi realizada, a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os processos de reforma psiquiátrica em vários países da Europa, da América Latina sem perder de vista as especificidades do Brasil e do Pará e uma análise sobre o papel do Estado, das políticas públicas sociais, dentre elas a política pública de Saúde e o Sistema Único de Saúde, além de análise de documentos e entrevistas com os executores das políticas. Como resultados foram observados avanços na política de saúde mental entre 2007 e 2010, tais como aumento (96%) no número de serviços, ainda que com a efetividade questionada tanto pela gestão quanto pelo movimento social, além de um estabelecimento de canal de diálogo entre gestão e movimento social através de conselhos gestores, ouvidorias internas e eventos de capacitação diversos. Por outro lado, os problemas estruturais persistem e de acordo com a análise efetuada têm relação com o contexto político-econômico vivenciado pelo Brasil de aprofundamento das desigualdades sociais e da negação dos direitos sociais, econômicos, culturais e ambientais instituídos na Constituição de 1988. Fica evidenciada, assim, a consolidação do processo de globalização neoliberal, com ações voltadas para a estabilidade econômica e focalização de políticas públicas sociais. Como alternativa a essa situação a autora apresenta o ponto de vista de que o SUS é um sistema em construção e que o desafio posto na atual conjuntura que tenha por objetivo superar as profundas desigualdades sociais através de um movimento de massas que retome as propostas de superação da crise e avance em propostas concretas.

Modelos de atenção primária em Botucatu-SP: condições de trabalho e os significados de integridade apresentados por trabalhadores das unidades básicas de saúde

Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva - FMB

Outcome of the agrarian reform in Brazil during the last two decades

The agrarian reform allows for land redistribution and gives rural workers the opportunity to develop their life projects, rescuing the dignity of a historically excluded population. The conquest of the land carries significances that span from the rescue of citizenship to the improvement of living conditions due to the acquisition of goods, products and services. It is pointed out that in Brazil there still exists a marked concentration of large-landed estates. In this sense, this work had the objective of analyzing the Brazilian agrarian reform process during the last two decades. In this period the country had three Presidents, two of them elected with the support of the Rural Landless Workers Movement, increasing the expectations in relation to the fulfillment of the agrarian reform. The advances in the policies of rural settlements are notable; however, the structure of large-land estates remains unaltered. In the last two years (2011 and 2012) the number of settled families, as well as the number of settlements accomplished, were the worst since 2006. The priority of the current government is the eradication of extreme poverty and, in this sense, the agrarian reform becomes an essential policy to contribute to such goal, since with the distribution of the property of the land also diminishes the concentration of wealth.

Gestão do ouro azul no contexto globalizado Neoliberal: bem econômico ou bem social?

The neoliberalism based on the Washington Consensus advised privatization as the most effective alternative for the management of natural resources. The question is what is prioritizing efficiency, market or welfare? The growing concern about the water issue has been highlighted in discussions in international policy debates, and what it turns out is the prominence of corporate and economic interests over social and environmental. The water is in crisis, there are several sources of popular conflicts around the world contrary to how this resource is being offered, as the Water War occurred in 2000 in the city of Cochabamba. It is necessary to respect its limitations to ensure their future availability and choose the best development model that favors the effectiveness of their control. The international proliferation of commercial vision concerning water stipulated privatization of their management as ideal rule, which increased rates, concentrated income, has not improved the quality nor promoted the conquest of equal access to water for most systems that provides these services, this is, privatization has not brought positive results that outweigh the harm of its implementation. Water is an essential commodity for life of living beings, in all its stages, basic reason to develop plans, rules and commitments that ensure its conservation and provide, as soon as possible, a valid alternative for the sustainable management in long term

Políticas públicas em educação e o ideário neoliberal e pós-moderno: a ciência geográfica como instrumento crítico de análise da conjuntura contemporânea

Pós-graduação em Educação Escolar - FCLAR

Entre a independência e o endividamento: análise da contrarreforma agrária pelo Banco da Terra

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)