New Frontiers of Social Policy: Institutional Pathways to Equity

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Questions of equity and inequality are central to discussions on development and poverty reduction, highlighting that even rapidly growing countries can face rising inequality, which can hinder poverty alleviation. Recent findings from various United Nations and development agencies emphasize that equity not only holds intrinsic value but also positively influences growth and its poverty-reducing effects. These equity concerns intertwine with governance issues, as institutional arrangements impact both growth rates and their distributional effects, while also reflecting varying levels of equity in their structure and functioning. The emergence of these institutional arrangements over time, and their implications for growth and equity, remains less understood. This work explores the relationship between equity and development, the role of institutions in shaping these dynamics, and the conditions that enable or obstruct transitions to more equitable development. Originally commissioned for the World Development Report 2006, the chapters are authored by leading scholars across multiple disciplines. The book contributes to contemporary debates on inequality, poverty, and growth, emphasizing the significance of inequality, social mobilization, and state policies in fostering institutional change. The authors demonstrate that, under certain conditions, state institutions can effectively promote policies that address inequitable soc