ABSTRACT
We map explicit family policy evolution across 45 Western and Latin American countries over 120 years, analysing policy developments in child-related leaves, child benefits, CCTs, and ECEC. Using a newly created dataset, we advance the literature in two ways. First, we develop a geographically and temporally rich comparative perspective by systematically tracking the introduction and development of family policy in each country, showcasing general country trajectories and singling out early and late adopters. Second, we argue that family policy developments align with the global political economy context across three phases. This alignment strengthens over time, involving a handful of Western countries in the first (‘liberal’) phase, then all of them (except the United States) along with a few Latin American countries in the second (‘golden age’) phase, and all countries in our sample during the third (‘neoliberal’) phase. Despite regional variations, we reveal similarities in the timing and direction of policies. Our overarching longue durée perspective integrates prior explanations and country-specific details, aiming to serve as a foundation for future large-N, small-N and within-case analyses of family policy.