The Politics of Who Gets What and Why: Learning from the Targeting of Social Cash Transfers in Zambia

Abstract Targeting remains a highly contentious aspect of social protection design, despite the growing body evidence on various targeting mechanisms. While is often framed as identifying poorest households within limited budgets, such decisions are inherently political and shaped by notions justice. This in-depth study contested cash transfer model in Zambia finds that local ideas deservingness led to rejection eligible fit-for-work recipients, changes prioritise incapacitated households. The analysis draws interviews with government policy actors, well focus group discussions communities receiving transfers. Applying van Oorschot’s heuristic this data reveals criterion control (of circumstance) was prioritised level respondents. paper argues popular perceptions deservingness—and broader justice implications—need be taken seriously design targeting.