Why are subsidies so difficult to reform, even when more effective alternatives exist?

In this podcast by Socialprotection.org, TPP Director Neil McCulloch and Tara Moayed, Governance and Social Development Consultant, examine the political, institutional and economic challenges that have made subsidy reform one of the most complex issues in social policy. The conversation explores why broad-based subsidies continue to persist despite their high fiscal costs and often regressive distributional impacts.

This episode also discusses how social protection can support successful reforms. From compensatory cash transfers to adaptive social protection, our guests explore how governments can strengthen social protection systems while responding to economic, climate and other global shocks.