Beyond Bolsa Família

The Bolsa Fam lia Program is an income transfer policy aimed at social assistance in Brazil. Transferring variable amounts of income, it benefits approximately 50 million Brazilians, who must comply with conditions related mainly to health and education in order to receive it. Thus, this study focuses on presenting and characterizing the program, as well as reflecting on the relationship between Bolsa Fam lia and some social theories. To this end, it starts with official government data, seeking to characterize the program's impacts and then outline its institutional design. From this point on, the reflections focus on the program's relationship with social theories. Starting with Keynes and Sen, the objective was to analyze it in general terms according to the economic variables of Keynes' general theory, as well as to perceive Bolsa Fam lia as a means of expanding freedoms towards development. Finally, it was necessary to verify how public policy can be analyzed through the lens of gift-giving and its implications for the relationship between beneficiaries and the state.