The Entry of Transition Countries of Central Europe in the European Union: Some Social Protection Issues

After a brief survey of evidence showing that social security reform in each country of the region now follows its own path, the author reviews some general issues of social protection with special reference to transition countries. He then deals with several questions that preoccupy Western observers in relation to EU enlargement: the emergence of a new model in addition to those already in place, the fear of social dumping, & the interrogation regarding the possibility of keeping economic & social progress in equilibrium. On the way to a successful enlargement, the respective protection levels should not create a problem in view of the relatively high standards maintained in this field in the past. The problem is rather on the EU side, which finds it difficult to define with some precision the positive content of the European social model & the common goals. In view of their historical experience, the CE countries should be invited from the start to participate in the formulation of new European social policies

Social security developments in Central Europe: a return to reality

The orientation of social security reform in the former communist countries of Central Europe is discussed. Reform measures are traced to their genesis in the immediate postcommunist period. It is argued that early reform efforts were hampered by a widespread belief that the functions of the existing social security system had to be preserved, leading to the ignorance of fundamental political & economic realities that shape such social legislation

Review of \u3cem\u3eWorld Crisis Effects on Social Security in Latin America and the Caribbean: Lessons and Policies.\u3c/em\u3e Carmelo Mesa-Lago. Reviewed by Vladimir Rys.

Book review of Carmelo Mesa-Lago, World Crisis Effects on Social Security in Latin America and the Caribbean: Lessons and Policies. Institute for the Study of the Americas, 2010. $28.95, paperback