The Handbook of Social Protection: Evidence and New Directions for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The Handbook of Social Protection: Evidence and New Directions for Low- and Middle-Income Countries

A much-needed guide exploring social protection on poverty, inequality, health, and government finance—from cash transfers to unemployment insurance—in low- and middle-income nations. Over the past several decades, social protection programs that provide financial assistance to the poor and insure against shocks for the vulnerable have become widespread in low- and middle-income countries. These programs can play a critical role in society. For instance, conditional cash transfers support the current generation and reduce the transmission of intergenerational poverty, while pensions prevent the elderly from falling into poverty. In the past, much of the research on safety nets and social insurance has been centered on high-income countries. In recent years, given the changing policy landscape, there has been a new and growing economics literature on social protection systems in low-and middle-income countries. The Handbook of Social Protection takes stock of this literature—to understand what we know about the differing aspects of social protection and to highlight the open questions for research for the future. It delves into the research on social protection programs by bringing together top experts in the field to cover topics from targeting to cash transfers to unemployment insurance. ENDORSEMENTS “Leading researchers provide a timely, comprehensive overview of social protection in low- and middle-income countries that synthesizes rigorous evidence, dispels persistent myths, and offers a roadmap to guide future research and policy design.” —Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, William Nordhaus Professor of Economics at Yale University, coauthor of The Unequal Effects of Globalization "Rich in breadth and expertise, this handbook unites leading research on social protection with pressing policy debates, centering lower- and middle-income countries where rigorous evidence is most needed to drive progress against poverty." —Luis Felipe López-Calva, Director of the Poverty Global Department, World Bank Group “A definitive guide to the state of the art in social protection research, by the world's leading experts, this handbook debunks common myths, sets out what works, and identifies critical policy questions for future analysis.” —Rohini Pande, Henry J. Heinz II Professor of Economics, Director of the Economic Growth Center, and Faculty Director of Inclusion Economics, Yale University “This book is an important reference document for policy makers. It provides not only lessons learned and best practices for designing various social protection programs, but evaluating effectiveness from the direct and broad impacts, and in situations of conflict.” —Mari Pangestu, University of Indonesia and Vice Chair of National Economic Council, Indonesia “With economies growing yet inequality worsening, this handbook provides critically needed syntheses of the evidence and theory needed to inspire researchers and inform policymakers. We must do the most we can with what we got.” —Dean Karlan, Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University and former USAID Chief Economist “ The Handbook of Social Protection provides a wide-ranging review of the field, from its historical roots to emerging trends. Blending theory and evidence, it delivers sharp insights and practical lessons. Essential reading for researchers and policymakers alike.” —Michael Kremer, co-recipient of the 2019 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics Rema Hanna is Jeffrey Cheah Professor of South-East Asia Studies and Chair of the International Development Area at the Harvard Kennedy School. She serves as Co-Scientific Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South-East Asia office in Indonesia and Co-Scientific Director of the Social Protection Initiative, a joint initiative of J-PAL and Harvard’s Center for International Development (CID). Benjamin A. Olken is TEPCO Professor of Economics at MIT. He is a Faculty Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT, Co-Scientific Director of J-PAL's Southeast Asia office, and Co-Chair of the J-PAL's Social Protection Initiative.