Bolsa Família e insuficiência socioeconômica multidimensional no Brasil (2016-2022)

Abstract

This study analyzes the Programa Bolsa-Família (PBF) through Keynesian and Post-Keynesian perspectives, with a focus on the multidimensional socioeconomic insufficiency in Brazil. The central research problem concerns the persistence of structural inequalities in the country, despite the implementation of income transfer policies, which were primarily designed for short-term, conjunctural impacts. The study investigates whether the PBF, beyond reducing monetary poverty, effectively contributes to mitigating broader forms of socioeconomic deprivation. The relevance of the research lies in the role of the PBF as an income redistribution policy within an economy historically marked by persistent asymmetries, such as the legacy of slavery and the colonial land ownership structure. Additionally, it draws on the explanatory frameworks of Keynesian and Post-Keynesian approaches regarding the effects of aggregate demand and income distribution on economic growth and stability. The main objective is to examine the phenomenon of Multidimensional Socioeconomic Insufficiency (MSI) in Brazil by comparing individuals who benefit from the Programa Bolsa-Família with those who do not, utilizing the Multidimensional Socioeconomic Insufficiency Index (MSII) as the analytical tool. A quantitative methodology is adopted, based on microdata from the Continuous PNAD Survey (PNAD Contínua) conducted by IBGE between 2016 and 2022, using indicators of multidimensional socioeconomic deprivation. The empirical analysis compares PBF beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries in various dimensions, such as access to education, sanitation, labor market participation, and income. The results indicate that beneficiaries exhibit higher levels of multidimensional deprivation, revealing the structurally vulnerable profile of the population served by the program. Nevertheless, the findings also suggest that the PBF can play a significant role in mitigating these deprivations, especially when combined with broader structural public policies. From a Keynesian and Post-Keynesian perspective, the PBF contributes to economic dynamization through the stimulation of aggregate demand and the reduction of inequalities, although its effects are constrained by the fragility of underlying socioeconomic structures. The study emphasizes the need for an integrated approach, combining income transfer policies with public investment, to achieve greater social equity and sustainable economic growth.