| Abstract
| - There is an urgent need to provide an effective safety net for the poorest in societies ranging from socialist countries undergoing reform to Sub-Saharan African economies. This article examines social security systems in industrial countries and explores their relevance to developing countries. The objective of social security is defined broadly as public action, including that by communities, to protect the poor and vulnerable from adverse changes in living standards. Relevant instruments include employment and income guarantees, and also such formal policy instruments as assistance, social insurance, and family allowances. The article highlights issues that arise in providing social security in developing countries, particularly its effectiveness in protecting the target groups.
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