Social security in developing countries : some theoretical considerations

This paper discusses the concept of social security and criticizes the ILO definition of the concept as too limited to analyse non-Western social security systems. It develops an alternative definition which includes, firstly, the protection by society of individuals or social groups against a fall in their standards of living as a result of temporary adversities, and, secondly, the promotion by society of the standards of living of those individuals or groups that are below an acceptable minimum level. This wider definition is justified by arguing that social security is a universal necessity. The paper further discusses principles and forms of social security systems, methods of redistribution, and determinants of social security systems