Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v5i4.327
Social Assistance: History, Characteristics and Models
Zoran Šućur
; Studijski centar socijalnog rada, Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Abstract
In his work, the author starts from the significant changes that have taken place in West-European social assistance. Interest in this segment of social security has increased among scientists and politicians. The author analyses the causes of the noticeable increase in the number of recipients and in the expenditure on social assistance in those countries. He gives the main features of social assistance and presents the development of the social assistance in West-European countries. Some empirical results show that West-European countries differ with regard to the numerous features of their social assistance and that its models do not necessarily correspond to regimes of welfare states. Within the social security systems of some countries, the opposing models may co-exist. Since the role of the social assistance has changed as a result of economic and social transformations, particular attention is given to future proposals for social assistance reform. The present reforms have not succeeded in substantially reducing either the number of recipients or the social expenditure allocated for social assistance benefits. As for the future of social assistance, a careful analysis of the proposals for “radical” and “partial” reform is given.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
29942
URI
Publication date:
1.4.1998.
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