Welfare and Redistributive Models
In 'Inequalities During and After Transition in Central and Eastern Europe', edited by Cristiano Perugini and Fabrizio Pompei, Palgrave, 2015 Forthcoming.
34 Pages Posted: 3 Sep 2014
Date Written: September 1, 2014
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the evolution of welfare states and redistributive models in Eastern Europe and in the countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The highest levels of total social spending and degrees of redistribution were consolidated in countries with political democracy and established interest representation. They were lowest in countries with autocratic power structures that exclude competing opinions and inputs from society. Substantial redistributional systems have thus emerged in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), which combine social-democratic, corporatist and liberal elements. Baltic Republics exemplified a more rapid and consistent development towards the liberal model. Pressures towards more private provision were present throughout Eastern Europe. In many of these countries universalist principles were undermined by a prevalence of informal payments for health services. The experience in CIS countries was different due to initial periods of state failure, which were followed by a more chaotic route to minimalist and marketised systems.
Keywords: welfare states, redistribution, Eastern Europe; Commonwealth of Independent States, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine
JEL Classification: H55, P26, H31, O15, D31
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation