The neoliberal economic policy model focuses on fast growth, assuming that the benefits of growth will trickle down to the broader strata of the population. Actually, instead of trickle-down such model generated a fall-out in the form of massive unemployment, large inequality, and increasing poverty. Social safety nets (SSNs) were expanded to deal with the fall-out. Drawing on Egypt's own experience over the past 10-15 years, we stress the need to avoid the economic and social fall-out (unemployment, inequality and poverty). This is better done if social justice is factored into the process of policy making, as shown by the author's experience as a minister during 2010-2012.
Neoliberal model, social safety nets, trickle down, Egypt.