Beyond the World Bank: The Fight for Universal Social Protection in the Global South

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Matthew Greenslade (Development Pathways, UK)

Beyond the World Bank

The Fight for Universal Social Protection in the Global South

Matthew Greenslade (Development Pathways, UK)

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English

Bloomsbury Academic
11 December 2025

Development economics; Political economy; Welfare economics; Banking

In this open access book, Matthew Greenslade sheds some much-needed light on the damage being done by the World Bank's insistence on pursuing a poverty-targeted approach to social protection in lower income countries, while also describing some of the successes in the grassroots fights for a more universal approach. All this is organized around the true story of Stephen Kidd, an ex-missionary who cut his teeth fighting for indigenous land rights in Latin America, then survived an assassination attempt, and ultimately went on to be a leader in the global fight for universal social protection. Nearly half of the world’s population does not have access to the sorts of welfare and benefits programs that protect many people in the Global North. This means little to no protection in vulnerable times of life or against crises such as pandemics and climate-related events, and much less chance of building sustainable economies and the transition to low-carbon growth. Incorporating perspectives from academia, NGOs and activists, Greenslade shows, through Kidd's story, how governments in the Global South are working to fill this gap, but all too often, World-Bank-led support from the Global North encourages poverty-targeted programmes that are error-strewn, can cause social unrest, and can ultimately set back the development of universal social protection systems for years. Yet, as Greenslade also shows, collaborations among the United Nations, NGOs, academia, and practitioners such as Kidd are supporting Global South governments in pushing for more sustainable, home-grown, human-rights-aligned, universally available systems of social protection. The eBook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the Act Church of Sweden.

By: Matthew Greenslade (Development Pathways UK)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 232mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 320g
ISBN: 9781350508828
ISBN 10: 1350508829
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 11 December 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Matthew Greenslade is an economist who has worked on social protection for twenty five years inside and outside the UK government, including in countries such as Kenya, Nepal and Uganda.

Reviews for Beyond the World Bank: The Fight for Universal Social Protection in the Global South

This is a story of hope, if governments and the people that vote for them lead the way. Read it. * Professor Jimi Adesina, University of South Africa * Matthew Greenslade tells a fascinating human story but also reviews the evidence in a wonderfully accessible way. This book will inspire those working for universal social protection and give them the tools to continue the fight. * Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, 2010-2022 * Read?this?book. It?describes?how?countries?like?Nepal?have followed their own path in advancing universal social protection. * Dr Dilli Raj Khanal, former Member of Parliament and of the National Planning Commission, Nepal * One of the most comprehensive books on universality in social protection I’ve read, and a powerful reminder that social security is a human right. * Lena Simet, Senior Researcher Human Rights Watch * The author compellingly sets out the case for universal social protection systems that enable?everyone?to address risks and shocks across their lifecycle, including persons with disabilities, the cause of whom Stephen Kidd has tirelessly championed. * Dr Muhannad Alazzeh, Secretary General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Jordan *