Abstract
The article analyzes the implications of the austerity policy in Brazil on the guarantee of universal social rights, focusing on the financing of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the right to health. The effects of the Brazilian austerity policy are analyzed in an international perspective, based on evidence produced in different contexts, identified from a literature review, in order to base the arguments developed in the article. Information on the fiscal austerity measures being implemented in Brazil is presented and its likely impacts on social protection in the country are analyzed in a context of significant economic recession. The austerity policy adopted in Brazil is not universal, since it does not affect all Brazilian society equally, nor does it have temporary effects, since it is not focused on reducing the momentary imbalance in public accounts. Its main objective is to promote the reduction of the size of the Brazilian State. Finally, we show alternative paths to the fiscal austerity policy that has been used to tackle the economic crisis. The authors argue by a national development project that is necessarily linked to social protection for the universe of citizens and based on values of solidarity.
Highlights
This article aims to analyze the implications of the austerity policy that is being implemented in Brazil to guarantee universal social rights, focusing on health financing and on the right to healthcare
The article shows how the austerity policy is an instrument of the neoliberal ideology, which has been disseminated worldwide since the last century, resulting in weakening of universal social policies, with serious effects to society
Regardless of above mentioned studies that show the importance of social spending – special on universal social policies – for the society and economy of a country in the midst of an important economic recession, Brazil and several other governments have chosen to adopt fiscal austerity
Summary
This article aims to analyze the implications of the austerity policy that is being implemented in Brazil to guarantee universal social rights, focusing on health financing and on the right to healthcare. The article shows how the austerity policy is an instrument of the neoliberal ideology, which has been disseminated worldwide since the last century, resulting in weakening of universal social policies, with serious effects to society. This article presents international experience with other possible strategies based on social justice, solidarity and on universal social policies. The article contributes to the debate in Brazil on social policies and the challenges in terms of sustainability and continuation. This debate is influenced by the dispute of projects between the neoliberal ideology and a nation whose development is linked to social protection for citizens, founded on values of solidarity
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