Welfare State Classification: The Development of Central Eastern European Welfare
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| 3.5 Conclusion This chapter has reviewed some of the most important aspects of Central Eastern European welfare states. Firstly, the history of former CEE welfare states has been described. Communist social policy was extensive with, at least in theory, universal end egalitarian welfare programs. Employment was guaranteed and health care was free accessible for everyone. This social policy resulted in a significant dependency of welfare programs for most people. Secondly, after the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 CEE countries witnessed a significant economic and political change. This resulted in the reform of social policy. Rising unemployment and high inflation were incentives for policy makers to reform social policy radically. Three stages of reforms can be distinguished, as described in paragraph 3.3. These sequences of reform can be observed in most CEE and Vizegrad countries, including Poland and Slovakia. The most important aspect of these sequences is that first due to unemployment social programs were expanded, followed by the need to reduce social expenditures through privatization. The latter reforms were followed by the recalibration of the neo-liberal approach due to the fact that many citizens were became unprotected. Thirdly, the debate about the classification of CEE welfare states has been reviewed. As said in chapter 2, opinions about whether convergence or divergence of social policy is taking place differ among scholars. The most important studies concerning this topic have been reviewed. Cerami (2005; 2006) states that hybrid systems are developing which include elements of liberal, conservative and social democratic welfare types. Fenger (2007) supports Cerami’s conclusions, al though his method of analysis is highly discussed. Deacon (1993; 2000) states that CEE welfare states are developing towards one of Esping-Andersen’s welfare types. He believes that divergence of social policy is taking place. However, he does argue that the post-communist corporatist conservative welfare states of Russia, Romania and Bulgaria form their own group. Esping-Andersen (1996) states that CEE welfare states are developing towards on of the Western-European welfare state types which he distinguishes. He believes that is a matter of time before divergence of social policy takes place. 22 |