Resource information
All countries fund safety net programs
for the protection of their people. Though an increasing
number of safety net programs are extremely well thought
out, adroitly implemented, and demonstrably effective, many
others are not. This book aims to assist those concerned
with social policy to understand why countries need social
assistance, what kind of safety programs will serve those
best and how to develop such programs for maximum
effectiveness. Safety nets are part of a broader poverty
reduction strategy interacting with and working alongside of
social insurance; health, education, and financial services;
the provision of utilities and roads; and other policies
aimed at reducing poverty and managing risk. Though useful,
safety nets are not a panacea, and there are real concerns
over whether they are affordable and administratively
feasible or desirable in light of the various negative
incentives they might create. In most settings where there
is political will to do so, such concerns can be managed
through a number of prudent design and implementation
features. Much information and innovation exist on these
topics; this book summarizes, references, and builds on this
knowledge base to promote well-crafted safety nets and
safety net policy.
