Crises, labor and social unprotection: Brazil and Portugal facing the neoliberal trap

Abstract

In recent decades, crossed by two distinct global crises, the neoliberal revolution has led to the erosion of labor rights, income concentration and social unprotection throughout the world, generating inequality and poverty. Seeking to critically contribute to the reflection on the articulation between neoliberalism, work and social protection, this article focuses on the Brazilian and Portuguese cases. The article also attempts to reveal that similar economic policies were recommended on Brazil and Portugal, with largely negative social and labor market impacts. In the two crises, and in both national contexts, it is argued that the further away from neoliberal policies, the more successful were the government responses.