Development as Freedom in a Amazon Riverside Community: an analysis of the effects of Bolsa Família Program in São Carlos, Porto Velho, Rondônia

Abstract In this paper, it was reflected whether the Bolsa Família Program is an efficient public policy in the expansion of the substantial freedoms of individuals. To answer the proposed problem, the research conducted a field research in the District of São Carlos, located in Porto Velho, Rondônia. The research shows that the Bolsa Família is an successful alternative by providing better living conditions for the river communities. The access to basic utilities, such as food, school materials and clothing, are guaranteed by the program. This is extremely important, since, in these places, families do not have a fixed income, and not by disinterest in employment, but by the fact that, even if they develop occupational activities focused on subsistence, they do not have any formal employment relationship.

摘要：本研究旨在探讨家庭补助金计划（Bolsa Família Program）是否为拓展个体实质自由的高效公共政策。为解答所提出的研究问题，调研团队于巴西朗多尼亚州韦柳港境内的圣卡洛斯区开展了实地调研。调研结果显示，家庭补助金计划可为沿河社区提供更优质的生活条件，是一项成效显著的可行举措。该计划保障了居民获取食物、学习用品及衣物等基本生活物资的权利。这一点尤为关键，因为这些地区的家庭并无固定收入——这并非源于他们对就业缺乏兴趣，而是即便他们从事以维持生计为目的的生产活动，也无法建立任何正式雇佣关系。