Targeting as a social experience: perceptions and legitimacy in the Household Targeting System in Puno
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35622/Keywords:
distributive justice, institutional legitimacy, selective targeting, social perceptionsAbstract
This study analyzes social perceptions surrounding the Household Targeting System (SISFOH) in the social programs of the district of Puno, based on the interaction experiences of beneficiaries and local officials. The research adopts a qualitative, interpretive approach aimed at understanding how these actors assess the functioning of the targeting system in their everyday relationship with the State. To this end, twelve focus groups were conducted: two with officials responsible for social programs and ten with beneficiaries of the programs Pensión 65, Vaso de Leche, Community Kitchens, Comprehensive Health Insurance, and Beca 18. The thematic analysis was structured around four dimensions: knowledge, opinions, attitudes, and expectations regarding SISFOH. The results reveal a fragmented understanding of the system among beneficiaries, based on experiences of inclusion and exclusion, while officials show procedural knowledge accompanied by operational limitations. Critical views were identified regarding the fairness and transparency of the registration process. In terms of attitudes, beneficiaries express persistence in seeking state support along with emotional strain, while officials adopt a cautious stance regarding the system’s effectiveness. With respect to expectations, both groups call for improvements aimed at a more transparent system, better adaptation to local realities, and greater operational coherence. It is concluded that tensions exist between the technical criteria of selective targeting and social experience, linked to perceptions of justice, legitimacy, and recognition in the relationship between the State and citizens.
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