Do the Poor Count?

Michelle Taylor-Robinson explores the complex relationship between economic inequality and democratic accountability in Do the Poor Count? Volume 1. This political science study examines how neoliberal restructuring and the Washington Consensus strategy increased income gaps across Latin America during the 1980s and 1990s. As wealth disparities grew, the stability of new democracies faced significant threats. The text investigates whether all citizens possess the same capacity to hold their governments accountable when political systems fail to represent their specific interests.

The research analyzes both formal institutions, including electoral rules and legislative design, and informal structures like patron-client relationships and party nomination procedures. By studying these political processes, the author identifies the specific incentives that drive legislators to address the needs of impoverished populations. This work serves as a vital resource for scholars of comparative politics, Latin American history, and social science, offering deep insights into how political parties and legislative branches function within the context of poverty and homelessness.