Introduction: towards a political economy of social policy -- The historical origins of welfare systems, 1945-80 -- Social policy in Latin America, East Asia and Eastern Europe, 1945-1980: an overview -- The expansion of welfare commitments in Latin America, 1945-80 -- The evolution of social...

"Why do some societies fare well, and others poorly, at reducing the risk of early death? Wealth, Health, and Democracy in East Asia and Latin America finds that the public provision of basic health care and other inexpensive social services has reduced mortality rapidly even in tough economic...