Discussion Paper

The political economy of cash transfers: a comparative analysis of Latin American and sub-Saharan African experiences

Scarlato, Margherita / Giorgio d'Agostino
Discussion Paper (6/2016)

Bonn: German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

ISBN: 978-3-88985-686-9
Price: 6 €

This paper compares the consolidated experience of conditional cash transfers in Latin America with a variety of models of cash transfers in middle- and low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We review the recent literature with the aim to highlight the underlying political economy factors that have underpinned the emergence and scaling-up of various kinds of social protection strategies in the two regions. From this review, some implications and policy suggestions are drawn regarding the opportunities and challenges for cash transfers in the future.