Abstract

ROJAS, Mariano. Improving the Programs against Poverty: from Income to Welfare. Perf. latinoam. [online]. 2010, vol.18, n.35, pp.35-59. ISSN 0188-7653.

Many social programs, and most poverty-fighting programs, are based on the assumption that increasing income automatically translates into a raise in well-being. This investigation questions this assumption on the basis of the subjective well-being literature and on empirical analyses from Mexico. It is shown that it is possible to get people out of income poverty without necessarily increasing their well-being. The paper enunciates some general principles that can enhance social programs. It is argued that it is fine to be concerned about getting people out of income poverty, but it is even better to be concerned about placing them in a situation that favors their satisfaction with life.

Keywords : poverty; well-being; life satisfaction; subjective well-being; domains of life; Mexico; social programs.