Review article
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v10i2.124
Social Policy in the Context of Thorough Social Transformation of Post-Communist Countries
Siniša Zrinščak
; Studijski centar socijalnog rada, Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Abstract
In accordance with the attitude that the development of social policy of post-communist countries cannot be understood without understanding a wider social context, the paper first briefly describes their turbulent political history in the second half of the 19 th and the 20 th century, basic characteristics of communist social development and basic characteristics of social policy of the communist period. The period of transition or post-communism is considered from the perspective of economic and political changes and their social consequences. Economic, political and social development greatly differ between individual countries in transition, so the analysis emphasises some common characteristics, but even more numerous differences between individual countries. According to social consequences (poverty, social inequalities, a series of health related indicators), a great difference can be noticed between the countries in Central Europe and former Soviet Union, what is also partly expressed in the process of the EU accession. The paper particularly analyses trends in the sphere of work, employment and unemployment and pension reforms. Apart from the analysis of unemployment and unemployment insurance, changes in the structure of employment are considered, such as fall of industrial sector, liberalization of the labour market and so on. Pension reforms are considered as a paradigm of all social reforms due to their radical nature and comprehensiveness, as well as great influence of global agencies in the reform process. Social policy reforms of the Western and Eastern countries at the end of the 20 th century are compared in the conclusion, which also mentions the difficulties in classification of countries in transition according to known models of social welfare regimes.
Keywords
transition; post-communism; social transformation; social policy; work; employment; unemployment; pension reform
Hrčak ID:
30148
URI
Publication date:
1.2.2003.
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