Social policy, identity and citizenship : social assistance seen by those who receive it

Résumé

Social policies in Latin America are currently focused on combating extreme poverty. Multilateral organizations such as the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank suggest that state resources should be applied in a targeted way to the poorest groups. Under this logic, programs such as Oportunidadesin Mexico and similar ones in Latin America. This paper analyzes the relationship between the beneficiaries of these types of programs and those who offer them, emphasizing the point of view of the former. The fundamental interest revolves around the category of social identities (within the framework of the theory of social representations), in order to analyze the impact of these programs on the construction of a citizen identity; Our statements are based on a case study, carried out during 2006 in two neighborhoods in Cuernavaca, Morelos with program beneficiaries. The most significant findings indicate that, in the assistance relationship established between the government and the beneficiary groups, what is received is not represented as a citizen's right but rather as aid; this, In addition to the little control that exists on the part of the beneficiaries regarding the program, instead of promoting the construction of citizenship, it generates forms of paternalistic relationships that entail gratitude and expose the beneficiary populations to clientelistic practices.