[Latin-American social protection and development models]

Social protection systems are closely related to the development models which each nation has historically consolidated; these have implicitly or explicitly determined social policy. This article deals with Latin-American development models and the social protection systems so implemented as a response to the population's health needs and well-being. It considers the state's role and basic social policy aspects concerning the relationship between development models and approaches to social protection in Latin-America. Latin-American development models during the last century (without being really developed) have been mainly based on Keynesian theory regarding the Welfare State, substitution of imports-based industrialisation, central planning (for the specific case of Cuba) and liberal approaches since the 1980s. These models have all given rise to social protection systems which have fluctuated between social security approaches, social insurance and social assistance, passing through minimum social protection networks and social handling of risk. The last two have been promoted by international organisms led by the World Bank.