This book is one of the first attempts to analyze how developing countries through the early twenty-first century have established systems of social protection (i.e. pension and poverty programs, and public health and education systems) and how these systems have been affected by the recent processes of globalization (i.e. greater exposure to international trade and capital markets) and democratization. The book focuses on Latin American - a pioneer in social policies in the developing world - to identify factors associated with the evolution of welfare state policies during the pre-globalization period (1920-1979), and studies how globalization and democratization in the last 25 years have affected governments' fiscal commitment to social spending.

Most comprehensive study of the modern welfare state in Latin America available
Author uses unusually broad cross-national analysis and explains econometric techniques in his usage
Emphasizes how globalization/democratization have affected 'the big picture' in Latin America