Abstract

 Public debate on social policies in Brazil has focused on the choice between targeted and universal programs. The article argues that the choice is unclear and misleading unless a previous decision is taken concerning principles of social justice. After distinguishing three different connotations of targeting – as residualism, conditionality or retification – and noting that universal programs may be compatible with minimalist social policy, the article goes on to make explicit a number of neglected options.

JEL Classification: D63.