Welfare state evolution in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland: Towards a new paradigm?

Abstract

2 INTRODUCTION 3 1. CONCEPTUAL ISSUES: SOCIAL ASSISTANCE, SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PRIVATE INSURANCE 5 2. CZECH REPUBLIC 7 3. HUNGARY 11 4. POLAND 15 5. WELFARE STATE PARADIGM SHIFTS 19 CONCLUDING REMARKS 25 REFERENCES 26 Welfare state evolution in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland: Towards a new paradigm? ________________________________________________________________________ DINÂMIA/CET – IUL, Centro de Estudos sobre a Mudanca Socioeconomica e o Territorio ISCTE-IUL – Av. das Forcas Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, PORTUGAL Tel. 217938638 Fax. 217940042 E-mail: dinamia@iscte.pt www.dinamiacet.iscte.pt 2 Welfare state evolution in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland: Towards a new paradigm Abstract: In this paper we discuss welfare state reforms in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. We analyse particularly the evolution of unemployment insurance, old-age pensions and social assistance. We investigate whether welfare state reforms can be perceived as paradigm shifts. We consider such a change entailed a decrease in social insurance relative to both social assistance and individual insurance. In this paper we discuss welfare state reforms in Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. We analyse particularly the evolution of unemployment insurance, old-age pensions and social assistance. We investigate whether welfare state reforms can be perceived as paradigm shifts. We consider such a change entailed a decrease in social insurance relative to both social assistance and individual insurance.