A influência da austeridade fiscal no processo de produção e ampliação das desigualdades sociais no Brasil

Abstract

This dissertation discusses the influence of fiscal austerity measures on public investment in social policies and the production of social inequalities in Brazil in the decade from 2012 to 2021, which characterizes the research problem. It was adopted as methodological procedures the form of qualitative and quantitative approach, in statistical terms and also through content analysis. Regarding the technical procedures, data collection, the research was documentary. Documental analysis of qualitative materials and descriptive statistical analysis of collected data were performed. Regarding fiscal austerity, it is found that the positions of favourable authors are based on weak arguments, the notes and data indicate that this policy is not adequate in times of crisis, does not promote economic growth, aggravates inequality and other social problems. The Constitutional Amendment 95/16 caused a significant reduction in the federal public spending on social policies. The indicators and information on education, food, child protection, assistance to the helpless, health, work and housing, demonstrate the impact of the restriction and insufficiency of investments for the realization of these constitutionally provided rights. Social policies, State or government, universal or focused, are important instruments for reducing poverty and social inequalities. Fiscal austerity is a mechanism of the neoliberal ideology that restricts the capacity of the State to implement these policies. Economic and financial groups that influence political power are benefited from austerity measures. The neoliberal capitalist system is stable because it sustains itself ideologically, there is a construction of values and norms. Similarly, social inequalities are subject to a process of naturalization, reproduction and legitimation, which occurs from ideological assumptions, and which have meritocracy as an important element. It is understood that a deeper social transformation process depends on structural changes, with income distribution policies and investments in social infrastructures. The State is one of the main agents of this process, since it must have the capacity to establish policies and invest budgetary resources to reduce social inequalities.