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Social cohesion and inclusive social development in Latin America: A proposal for an era of uncertainties

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Social cohesion and inclusive social development in Latin America: A proposal for an era of uncertainties

Author: Maldonado Valera, Carlos - Marinho, María Luisa - Robles, Claudia - Tromben, Varinia Physical Description: 133 páginas. Editorial: ECLAC Date: May 2022 ECLAC symbol: LC/TS.2021/133/Rev.1

Description

What holds societies together? What identifies people and motivates them to live together voluntarily without the need for constant external coercion or immediate self-interest? At times of great uncertainty, crises and existential challenges, social cohesion assumes a central role in the progress of Latin American and Caribbean countries towards sustainable development. This publication examines the concept of social cohesion and offers an equality-centred theoretical approximation, a measurement framework for 18 of the region’s countries and a policy agenda for social cohesion, against a backdrop defined by a pandemic, uncertainty and challenges such as rampant inequality, mistrust of institutions, rising social unrest and different manifestations of violence. The conclusions call for the strengthening of some of the enabling elements of social cohesion, from a medium- andlong-term perspective.

Table of contents

Abstract .-- Introduction .-- I. Evolution of the social cohesion concept: analytical foundations and related concepts .-- II. Towards a normative approach to social cohesion: historical context
and central elements .-- III. Measuring social cohesion: a proposal for monitoring and policies .-- IV. A policy agenda for social cohesion as part of a new social compact: initial thoughts .-- V. Conclusions.