The Role of the State in the Struggle against Poverty

International reports reveal that nearly one quarter of the population in developing countries live in conditions of extreme poverty. According to CEPAL, the number of poor people in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased by 50 % from 1980 to 1999. At a time when global awareness of poverty seems to be augmenting and the cause of poverty eradication is moving up the global political agenda, there are two trends that tend to marginalise or question the role of the state in poverty reduction. One is the 'anti-statism' that attends the neoliberal, managerialist and communitarian agendas, each of which in their way is influencing approaches to poverty reduction. The second stems from radical and critical ideas associated with the 'anti-globalisation' movement: a complex alliance of disparate factions that challenge the global ascendancy of capitalism, liberal democracy, Western culture and neoliberal welfare theories.
The workshop should contribute to a deeper understanding of the current role of the 'nation-state', by focusing on the relationships of the state with other social and political forces at supra-national, national or sub-national levels. Latin America and the Caribbean should provide the main empirical reference. However, studies from other continents or papers with predominantly theoretical contents that can enhance comparative perspectives are welcome.
The papers should discuss one or more of the following questions:
· What are the ideological underpinnings and strategies of current policies and state reforms relevant for the struggle against poverty?
· To what degree, and how, are poverty reducing policies and reforms influenced by dominant national and transnational forces, and/or by recommendations from international organisations such as IMF, World Bank, WTO and the governments of the G-8?
· To what degree, and how, do national parliaments, civil societies and pro-poor social movements influence the policies?
· Which are the most visible impediments, private or public, to the effective implementation of poverty reduction programmes? What is the role of parliaments in the design, execution and control of poverty reduction policies, e.g. through the national and sub-national budgets?

The workshop will be limited to 30 participants. Preference will be given to scholars from Latin America, but scholars from other areas are also invited. All participants will be expected to take part in the proceedings (in Portugese, English or Spanish), either presenting or discussing papers. Participants bear the responsibility for their own funding. However, a limited number of travel grants are available. The grants will be awarded according to geography (researchers from Latin America and the Caribbean will be prioritized), and the relevance, quality and originality of the abstract/paper. Details on how to apply for travel grants will be forwarded to those authors whose abstracts are accepted for the workshop. As a rule, accommodation will be covered for all participants during the workshop.