The fact that “universality” is too expensive to implement at once seems to trump all the evidence showing that universal programs are superior to poverty-targeted programs in many regards. Gradual implementation is an obvious response to the lack of means for immediate implementation, and “progressive universalism” is the World Bank’s new approach to universal social protection. As shown in this report, however, “progressive universalism” has little to do with the “progressive realisation” that is a corner stone in the human rights. Rather, it appears to be an attempt to continue to promote povertytargeting, while paying lip service to the commitment to universal social protection, weakening the efforts in that way. We must not forget that the issue of universal social protection also concerns high-income countries, where existing social protection systems are in danger, and this reminds us of the urgency of continuing to defend the quality and universality of social protection worldwide.