As it can be observed by the evolution of the World Bank's policy related to poverty, international agencies for development have turned away from the trickle-down approach towards a current one focused on the satisfaction of human needs, poverty alleviation and investment in human resources. The concern for strengthening Latin American democracies, increasing equity in income distribution, efficiency in social expenditures and effectiveness of social programs demands the encouragement of state reform, decentralization from the national government to provinces and municipalities, as well as more participation in development projects of local communities.
-- Author's abstract.
