Privatization and distributional equity: the case of Brazil Available to Purchase

Comments that distributional equity has been given only notional support in Brazil and, in practice, the issue has had little influence on the privatization implementation process. Suggests that privatization needs to be accompanied by effective deregulation with new forms of regulation on the environment and consumer protection and a comprehensive social welfare programme. Reveals that progress on these has been slow and incomplete and the goal of wider share ownership has had very limited success. Highlights the danger that privatization is being used as another way of allocating the cost of structural adjustment and economic reform to those least able to resist.