Social Assistance in Developing Countries

'In this complex but accessible book, Armando Barrientos locates the exponential recent growth of social assistance programmes in developing countries in its historical and political context. Uniquely, he weaves together ethical arguments and economic analysis, to explain why social assistance has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for fighting poverty in our times. No-one who reads this seminal book can fail to be convinced that social assistance for the poor is not only effective but also affordable and ethically indispensable.' Stephen Devereux, Institute of Development Studies
'Armando Barrientos provides a comprehensive and insightful review of the experience of social assistance programmes in developing countries. Readers will value the combination of analytical, empirical and political perspectives the book presents.' Ariel Fiszbein, Chief Economist for Human Development, The World Bank
'This volume provides an excellent overview of the main conceptual and practical issues in designing and implementing social assistance in developing countries. It will prove useful for policy analysts and students alike.' Ravi Kanbur, Cornell University
'This book takes stock of a quiet revolution in the global South, the recent spread of cash transfers to the poor, and succeeds in a great way. It is the first scholarly and comprehensive account of this new approach to fighting poverty, linking social policy research, welfare economics and social philosophy. The fresh language and the innovative, non-partisan analyses avoid the fashionable talk and buzzwords common in development debates. The book will be the standard reference on the subject for years to come, written by a leading international expert who is both a scholar and a policy adviser.' Lutz Leisering, Director, Institute for World Society Studies, Bielefeld University