Paper short abstract:

The main aim of this paper, is to examine the political determinants of welfare states in Brazil and India. It will carefully examine the impact of political parties with centre-left ideologies on trade-unions and its relationship to the development of the welfare state.

Paper long abstract:

The origins of modern welfare states are rooted in the 'logic of industrialism' along with the Second World War. Industrialised economy necessitated that employees be protected against life-course risks such as industrial accidents; unemployment; illness and familial responsibilities. One of the key concerns of employment policies includes hiring, firing, training of workers and collective bargaining and organisation of workers with employers. Walter Korpi's (2006, 2985) 'power resources' approach within the contexts of advanced industrialised economies, the key determinants of the welfare state are centre-left government along with trade unions, various wage bargaining institutions (such as middle-class interest groups) has produced progressive welfare states. Existing research within advanced economies indicates that greater left-wing control of government creates more redistribution, and that the presence of unions and coordinated wage bargaining reduces wage inequalities or increases wage compression. The main aim of this paper, is to examine the political determinants of welfare states in Brazil and India. It will carefully examine the impact of political parties with centre-left ideologies on trade-unions and its relationship to the development of the welfare state. First, the paper will delineate the dynamics of power resources theory in the context of developing countries. Second, it will examine the major milestones in the evolution of the India and Brazilian welfare state. Finally, it will critically evaluate the differences between the two welfare states regarding generosity and depth.