Social protection for development: a review of definitions

Brunori, Paolo and O'Reilly, Marie (2010): Social protection for development: a review of definitions.

Abstract

There is a growing recognition that poverty and deprivation in developing countries cannot be defeated solely by the promotion of economic growth. Specific interventions, targeting the most vulnerable sectors of the population, are increasingly considered as necessary complements to more traditional pro-growth policies, especially in the face of unstable global socio- economic scenarios. Social protection is often considered a double-dividend policy for development: it is an effective input for economic growth and it directly reduces poverty by targeting vulnerable households. However, the definition of social protection can be vague and the array of varying definitions can lead to confusion. Social protection has been framed as a policy response to risk, as a human right, and as an agenda for livelihood building. Nonetheless, social protection is generally described as the set of public and private mechanisms that protect and prevent individuals and households from suffering the worst consequences of shocks and stresses. Its novelty lies in its additional attempt to promote resilient livelihoods. However, almost any public intervention could be considered more or less directly part of the social protection system. In this perspective, education policy, pension systems, health care, and many other development policies will fall under a very vague definition of social protection. Such a definition would capture the complex system of linkages between social protection and all other social welfare components, but would hamper our understanding of the specificity of social protection in fighting poverty and promoting economic growth. In what follows we review and discuss the most influential definitions of social protection in the framework of development and aid policies and we explain how the operational definition of social protection has been conceived in the European Report on Development.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Social protecion, economic development
• Subjects: H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H55 - Social Security and Public Pensions; H - Public Economics > H5 - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies > H53 - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs

References

African Union (2008). Regional Experts Group Meetings on Social Protection on the theme: Investing in Social Protection in Africa, Uganda 30 April, 2008.

Alwang, J., Siegel, P. B., Jorgensen, S. L. (2002). Vulnerability as viewed from different disciplines. In: International Symposium Sustaining Security and Managing Natural Resources in Southeast Asia. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Barrett, C. B., Carter, Michael R. and Munenobu I. (2008). Poverty Traps and Social Protection. Available at: http://ssrn.com/ abstract=1141881

Barrientos A., Hulme, D., Shepherd, A. (2005). Can Social Protection Tackle Chronic Poverty? The European Journal of Development Research, 17 (1), pp. 8-23.

Caribbean Development Bank (2005). Social protection and poverty reduction in the Caribbean. Manor Lodge Complex, Barbados.

Cook S., Kabeer N. (2009). Socio-economic security over the life course: A global agenda review of social protection. Centre for Social Protection, Ford Foundation, New York.

Devereux, S., Sabates-Wheeler, R., (2004). Transformative social protection. IDS Working Paper n. 232, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton, Sussex.

DFID (2005). Social transfers and chronic poverty: emerging evidence and the challenge ahead. Department for International Development Practice Paper, DFID.

Edstrom J. (2007). Rethinking ‘Vulnerability’ and Social Protection for Children Affected by AIDS. IDS Bulletin 38 (3), p. 106-112.

EFILWC (2008). Employment security and employability: A contribution to the flexicurity debate. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

Ellis, F. (1998). Household Strategies and Rural Livelihood Diversification. Journal of Development Studies. 35 (1), pp. 1-38.

Ellis, F., Devereux, S., White, P. (2009). Social Protection in Africa. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK.

ERD, European Report on Development (2009). Overcoming Fragility in Africa. Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. European University Institute. Fiesole.

ERD, European Report on Development (2010). Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. European University Institute. Fiesole, in progress.

European Commission (2006). Employment in Europe 2006. Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

FAO (2009). The state of food insecurity in the World, Economic crises impacts and lessons learned, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Ferreira F. H. G. & Robalino D. (2010). Social Protection in Latin America Achievements and Limitations. TheWorld Bank Policy Research Working Papers 5305.

Ferrera, M., Hemerijck, A., Rhodes, M. (2001). The Future of the European Social Model in the Global Economy. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, 3 (1), 163-190.

Foster, G., (2007). Under the radar: Community safety nets for AIDS-affected households in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS Care, 19 , pp. 54-63

Grahl, J. and Teague, P. (1997). Is the European social model fragmenting? New Political Economy. 2 (3).

Guillaumont, P. (2008). An Economic Vulnerability Index: Its Design and Use for International Development Policy , United Nations University, Research Paper n. 2008/99.

Guhan, S. (1994). Social security options for developing countries. International Labour Review ,133, 35-53.

Haddad L. (2007) Comment on ‘The Role of Social Risk Management in Development: A World Bank View’. IDS Bulletin, 38 (3), p. 14.

Haddad, L., and Zeller, M. (1996). How can safety nets do more with less? General issues with some evidence from southern Africa. Discussion Paper 16, Washington D.C: International Food Policy Research Institute.

Hickey, S. (2007). Conceptualising the Politics of Social Protection in Africa. University of Manchester, BWPI Working Paper 4.

Holzmann R., and Jorgensen S. (2000). Social Risk Management: A New Conceptual Framework for Social Protection, and Beyond. Social Protection Discussion Paper Series n. 6.

Holzmann R., and Jorgensen S. (2001). Social Risk Management: A New Conceptual Framework for Social Protection, and Beyond. International Tax and Public Finance, 8, pp. 529-556.

Holznann R. and Kozel V. (2007). The Role of Social Risk Management in Development: A World Bank View. IDS Bulletin 38 (3).

Jaspars S. and Harvey P., (2007). A Review of UNICEF's Role in Cash Transfers to Emergency Affected Populations. EMOPS working paper, October 2007.

Kabeer A. (2008). Mainstream Gender in Social Protection for the In formal Economy. Commonwealth Secretariat, London.

Lundberg, M., & Over, M. (2000). Transfers and household welfare in Kagera . Durban: International AIDS Economic Network Conferente.

North, D.C. (1990) Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Norton, A., Conway, T., Foster, M. (2001). Social protection concepts and approaches: Implications for policy and practice in international development. Tech. rep., Centre for Aid and Public Expenditure, London, UK.

OECD (2004). OECD Employment Outlook. Tech. rep., OECD.

OECD (2009). Promoting pro-growth social protection. Tech. rep., OECD.

Piron L.H. (2005). Right-based approach to social protection. Overseas Development Institute draft.

Republic of Benin (2002). Benin Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. National Committee for Development and Fight against Poverty, December, 2002.

Republic of Cape Verde (2005). Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Ministry of Finance and Planning, September 2004.

Republic of Chad (2003). National Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Ministry of Planning, Development and Cooperation. June 2003.

Republic of Cote d’Ivoire (2002). Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Office of the Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Development, January 2002.

Republic of Ghana (2005). Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy, 2006-2009. National Development Planning Commission, November 2005.

Republic of Madagascar (2007). Madagascar Action Plan 2007-2012, A Bold and Exciting Plan for Rapid Development, www.madagascar.gov.mg/MAP.

Republic of Mali (2003). Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Document prepared and adopted by the Government of Mali, June 2002.

Republic of Niger (2007). Combating Poverty, a Challenge for All, Accelerated Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 2008-2012. Prime Minister Office RPS Permanent Secretariat, August 2007.

Republic of Nigeria (2005). Meeting Everyone’s Needs, National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy. Nigerian National Planning Commission.

Republic of Uganda (2010). National Development Plan 2010/11-2014/15. March 2010.

Republic of Zambia (2006). Fifth National Development Plan 2006-2010, December 2006.

Sabates-Wheeler R. and Devereux S. (2007). Social Protection for Transformation. IDS Bulletin, 38 (3), pp. 23-28.

Sabates-Wheeler, R., Haddad, L. (2005). Reconciling different concepts of risk and vulnerability: A review of donor documents. www.oecd.org, Institute of Development Studies, Sussex.

Samson M., van Niekerk I, Mac Quene K. (2006). Designing and Implementing Social Transfer Programmes. Economic Policy Research Institute, Cape Town.

Shepherd A., Marcus R., Barrientos A. (2004). Policy paper on social protection, Overseas Development Institute for DFID.

Shepherd A., Marcus R., Barrientos A. (2005). Policy paper on social protection, paper Presented at CPRC-IIPA seminar on Chronic poverty: emerging policy options and issues 29-30 September, 2005 Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.

The Republic of Uganda (2004). Poverty Eradication Action Plan 2004/5-2007/8. Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Kampala 2004.

UN ECOSOC, United Nations Economic and Social Council (2000). Enhancing Social Protection and Reducing Vulnerability in a Globalizing World: Report of the Secretary- General. New York.

United Republic of Tanzania (2008). National Social Protection Framework. Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Poverty Eradication and Empowerment Division. Dar Es Salam, 28 October 2008.

Voipio Y. (2007). Social Protection for Poverty Reduction: The OECD/DAC/POVNET View. IDS Bulletin, 38 (3), pp. 45-50.

Weber, A. (Ed.) (2006). Social Protection Index for Committed Poverty Reduction. Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines.

World Bank, August (2003). The contribution of social protection to the millennium development goals. Tech. rep., Social Protection Advisory Service, The World Bank.