Lithuanian social policy model: why does it not resemble the Swedish one? (original) (raw)

Why not the Nordic Welfare State Model in Lithuania Trends in Lithuanian and Norwegian Social Policies

In "Poverty, Urbanity and Social Policy: Central and Eastern Europe Compared" edited by Jolanta Aidukaite, 2009

This chapter offers an overview of social policy in Norway and Lithuania after World War II, the development of a social security system in independent Lithuania, and the main characteristics and changes in the social policies of Norway and Lithuania in the context of globalization. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss why Lithuania did not choose to implement the Nordic model of social policy and to identify factors that may influence the choice of a particular model. The institutional social-democratic Norwegian welfare state model is selected as a reference point for analysing the Lithuanian social security system. One of the main conclusions of the chapter is defining the Lithuanian social policy model as drifting from the corporative to the liberal marginal model and now having more differences from the Nordic (Norwegian) model as it was in 1990–1991, that is immediately after the Soviet occupation.

The Lithuanian social policy model

Journal of Baltic Studies, 2001

On Lithuanian social policy model Social Security System Creation in Independent Lithuania (1990-2007) and Its Main Characteristics After collapse of the Soviet Union and the restoration of Lithuanian independence, there have been partial discussions about the problems of social policy and appropriate welfare state model choice. After discussions representatives of

The Swedish Welfare State Model : A Brief Overview

Social Science Spectrum, 2016

The Swedish welfare state model has its roots in home turf as well as in the soil of othernations, mainly Germany and Britain. It took on its characteristic shape as the People’s Home in the 1930s, when national models to the left and right of the political spectrum in many countries were built around “the people”. At the time it was also labelled “the middle way” between capitalism and socialism. During the 1960s “record years” the Swedish welfare state grew rapidly. It stood at its zenith around 1970, hailed internationally as the Swedish model. However, the welfare state and the economy,closely intertwined, soon entered into a protracted structural crisis. In the early 1990s,Sweden experienced a deep and to a large extent home-made financial crisis and the Swedish model became a warning example in some quarters. Out of the crisis arose a revised model in which welfare services were still provided more or less “for free” (i.e.funded by tax money) while at the same time there were ...

Lithuanian Social Policy in the European Social Model Map

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2014

Social policy development of the European Union has become an increasingly important aspect which EU takes in defining and implementing any policy. The aim of regional policy is cohesion and economic development for all countries. Different scientific sources claims that the welfare state model has to be taken into account with high priority, because social costs, that are dedicated to reduce the economic divine, are raising economic potential, and contribute to the economic development and cohesion. The new EU members are changing the types of social models because of integration to the economy of European Union. Some authors noted that the number of European social models is increasing. The literature about welfare state model was reviewed in this paper. Also statistical analysis was applied for socioeconomic indicators in different EU states identifying social model clusters and statistical differences. The different characteristics of clusters were compared as well.

Social Protection Systems in the Baltic States

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000

The paper analyses the social protection systems of the Baltic States comparing them to the existing systems of the other European countries and discussing poverty reduction strategies, pension systems, social and unemployment assistance, labour market policies and regulations. The aim is to investigate whether there are relevant differences between the Baltic States The paper was prepared within the framework of the 5th EU Framework Programme project HPSE-CT-2001-00084 "The Eastward Enlargement of the Euro-zone (Ezoneplus)" and the project "Structural changes in the Estonian labour market: risks and sustainable development" financed by the Estonian Ministry of Education. The usual disclaimer applies.

The Transferability of Welfare Models: A Comparison of the Scandinavian and State Socialist Models in Relation to Finland and Estonia

Social Policy & Administration, 1998

In this paper, two examples of the close relationship between a national social welfare system, and explicit transnational influences are discussed. Both the state socialist and Scandinavian models have a recognized structure independent of the particular countries in which they have been implemented, although they are both associated with a home base, Russia and Sweden respectively. Our examples, Estonia and Finland, faced both common and specific national problems following 1991, which led to rapid change in each country's economic situation and pressure on their respective welfare systems. There were elements of continuity and discontinuity with the main tenets of their respective welfare models, and both structural factors and cultural diffusion will be explored to understand the origin of these changes. The paper could be seen as a case study of welfare changes in the "borderlands" where "old empires meet". The countries were chosen because they are peripheral to what were rival spheres of influence and because they see themselves as having much in common. We also expect changes to occur more rapidly in peripheral areas.

The Rise, Fall and Revival of the Swedish Welfare State: What are the Policy Lessons from Sweden?

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000

This paper discusses a number of questions with regard to Sweden's economic and political development: • How did Sweden become rich? • What explains Sweden's high level of income equality? • What were the causes of Sweden's problems from 1970 to 1995? • How is it possible that Sweden, since the crisis of the early 1990s, is growing faster than most EU countries despite its high taxes and generous welfare state? These questions are analyzed using recent insights from institutional economics, as well as studies of inequality and economic growth. The main conclusion is that there is little, if any, Swedish exceptionalism: Sweden became rich because of well-functioning capitalist institutions, and inequality was low before the expansion of the welfare state. The recent favorable growth record of Sweden, including the period of financial stress (2008-2010), is a likely outcome of a number of far-reaching structural reforms implemented in the 1980s and 90s.