Políticas sociales: balance y propuestas

An evaluation of the social development of Peru at year 2000 shows that there have been improvements in several areas, such as the coverage of basic health services, but that little has been accomplished in poverty reduction and the quality of education remains poor. Economic policies haven't promoted a fast and labor-intensive growth nor have allowed an increase in public expenditures. Reforms in social policies have been partially implemented, and an evaluation shows its limits in solving problems such as reduced coverage of social security and inequality. The second part of the paper is dedicated to policy proposals. In the first term, there are proposals related to social policies and political relations: establishing effective rights for the people, democratizing policies and forging a national consensus for an increase in social expenditures. About social policies themselves, it is proposed that an integrated approach should be considered. Priorities should be basic, poor people and rural areas. Decentralization, improving capabilities of social workers (teachers, physicians) and establishing a modern social management are other policies to be implemented.