Facing the challenges: social policy in Poland after 1990
Facing the challenges: social policy in Poland after 1990
Contributor(s): Piotr Michoń (Editor), Józef Orczyk (Editor), Maciej Żukowski (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Economy, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, National Economy, Micro-Economics, Governance, Sociology, Labor relations, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Social development, Family and social welfare, Welfare services, Economic development, Law on Economics, Public Finances, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Poznaniu
Keywords: Polish welfare state;welfare state;social policy model in Poland;post-socialist Poland;feminism;socioeconomic changes;subjective wellbeing (SWB);labour market policy;family policy in Poland;polish pension system;social work in Poland;
Summary/Abstract: Polish social policy is changing not only in the material sense but also on the level of public consciousness. This concerns not only citizens, but also researchers and policy makers. Social policy in Poland after 1990 has its own specificity. One of its features are the lack of clear direction of development and the constant need for amendments. Unsurprisingly, diversity of approaches can be also found on the cognitive level, although it is not reflected in all sets of studies. This regards not only ideological differences and various appraisals of the same facts, but also the often underestimated domination of particular paradigms. The latter can be discerned in this monograph as well, as the effect of the authors’ provenance and the widespread approval of certain ways of thinking about and analyzing particular fields of social policy. The monograph has been divided into two parts. The first consists of the general studies of changes that took place on the institutional level and in public consciousness. The second part focuses on evaluating changes that occurred in particular fields of social activity which are strictly connected with the state’s social policy. The selection of those fields and the dissimilarity of approaches should encourage the reader to reflect upon thevariability of importance of material and consciousness factors in evaluating social policy (Józef Orczyk, Foreword).
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-83-7417-746-7
- Page Count: 179
- Publication Year: 2013
- Language: English
The Polish welfare state birth and twilight?
The Polish welfare state birth and twilight?
(The Polish welfare state birth and twilight?)
- Author(s):Stanisława Golinowska
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Economic history, Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Family and social welfare, Welfare services
- Page Range:7-36
- No. of Pages:30
- Keywords:Polish welfare state;welfare state;social policy in Poland;socialist welfare state;
- Summary/Abstract:In the European Union, four main social functions of the state are currently emphasized: 1) protection against social risks, 2) maintenance of order and social peace, 3) investment in human resource development, 4) investment in social institutions. The description of the birth and development of the Polish welfare state and in the assessment of its present character – which is the aim of this text – includes the perspectives of all the groups of functions mentioned above, as well as the acknowledgement of the variability of their implementation over time (1918-2011).
In search of a new post-socialist social policy model in Poland
In search of a new post-socialist social policy model in Poland
(In search of a new post-socialist social policy model in Poland)
- Author(s):Mirosław Księżopolski
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Governance, Sociology, Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Welfare services
- Page Range:37-49
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:post-socialist Poland;social policy model in Poland;transformation in Poland;
- Summary/Abstract:Author focused their attention on the evolution of Polish social policy from the social policy under state socialism. He also attempts to answer the question “How can the current social policy model in Poland be described?”.
Going mainstream – feminist influence on comparative welfare state research
Going mainstream – feminist influence on comparative welfare state research
(Going mainstream – feminist influence on comparative welfare state research)
- Author(s):Dorota Szelewa
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Gender Studies, Governance, Sociology, Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Family and social welfare, Welfare services
- Page Range:50-62
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:welfare state;welfare state research;feminism;gendering research;feminist research on the welfare state;
- Summary/Abstract:This chapter aims at reviewing some of the most important developments in feminist research on the welfare state. The first section outlines the core of the debate between the feminists and mainstream literature, often centred on the critique of Esping-Andersen’s Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, the second one presents some alternative typologies developed for gender-centred comparative analyses of welfare states. Thirdly, I will review this scholarship in the light of the developments in Central and Eastern Europe. The fourth section briefly touches upon thechallenges for current feminist debates, especially with regard to the politics of the welfare state, strategic dilemmas and varieties of feminist standpoints.
Socioeconomic changes and the subjective well-being of Polish society 1991–2011
Socioeconomic changes and the subjective well-being of Polish society 1991–2011
(Socioeconomic changes and the subjective well-being of Polish society 1991–2011)
- Author(s):Piotr Michoń
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Education, Sociology, Labor relations, Economic policy, Welfare systems, Political economy, Family and social welfare, Gerontology, Sociology of the arts, business, education, Welfare services, Economic development, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:63-79
- No. of Pages:17
- Keywords:socioeconomic changes;subjective well–being in Poland;Polish society;well-being and unemployment;well-being and education level;well-being of older people;
- Summary/Abstract:Three main questions are asked in the paper. Firstly: how has the sense of ‘life satisfaction’ and happiness of Poles changed over the period of twenty years between 1991 and 2011? During this period Poland has experienced substantial growth of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, but is Polish society becoming happier and more satisfied with life? Secondly: what is the level of subjective well-being individuals commonly perceived as losers (older, poorly educated and unemployed) in comparison with people who objectively appear to be winners (well-educated, in low middle age, employed)? Thirdly: how has the subjective well-being of unemployed, older and poorly educated people changed during this twenty year period between 1991 and 2011? Some authors suggest that because happiness became something everybody want, it is a core value of society, and it lays the basis for our modern welfare state. Because happiness represents an individual right, individual and societal aim, it is crucial to discover and scrutinise relations between the individual level of happiness, and the impact on it resulting from a variety of factors. It might be true that simple application of happiness economics to policy making would be unreasonable. But still if we agree that happiness constitutes a good life for individuals and thereby also a good society, it is important to collect, analyse and include this type of information for the purpose of policy making.
Labour market policy
Labour market policy
(Labour market policy)
- Author(s):Małgorzata Szylko-Skoczny
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Sociology, Labor relations, Welfare systems, Family and social welfare, Welfare services, Law on Economics, Public Finances, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:80-92
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:labour market in Poland;labour policy in Poland;labour market policy in Poland;employment level in Poland;employment structure in Poland;unemployment level in Poland;unemployment structure in Poland;
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of this paper is to present a changing nature of the Polish labour market in and after 1990s, employment and unemployment level and structure in Poland post-1990, labour market policy in Poland, assurance of social security to the unemployed issue, activation of the unemployed issue.
Social policy and education in Poland
Social policy and education in Poland
(Social policy and education in Poland)
- Author(s):Józef Orczyk
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Education, Sociology, Public Finances, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:93-109
- No. of Pages:17
- Keywords:social policy in Poland;education in Poland;educational system in Poland and social policy;
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of this paper is to present assessment criteria for the functioning of the educational system and its bonds with the social policy; transformations in the system of education in Poland after 1990; implementation of the reform in Poland; social policy and implementation of major functions of education; and conclusions regarding the interdependence between social policy and education.
Family policy in Poland
Family policy in Poland
(Family policy in Poland)
- Author(s):Bożena Balcerzak-Paradowska
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Sociology, Family and social welfare, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:110-121
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:family policy in Poland;local government and family policy;social security in Poland;
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of this paper is to present family policy in Poland in the transition period and current challenges for family policy. The author concludes that Polish family policy does not create a coherent system, accounting for strictly defined objectives, methods and means of their implementation. There is no system to evaluate and monitor the efficiency of family policy tools, to judge if the adopted solutions allow the attainment of the assumed goal. Consecutive governments undertake the implementation of family policy according to their own, ideological visions, modifying solutions adopted by their predecessors or abandoning them completely.
Polish pension system: 1989–2012
Polish pension system: 1989–2012
(Polish pension system: 1989–2012)
- Author(s):Joanna Ratajczak
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Sociology, Welfare systems, Family and social welfare, Welfare services, Public Finances, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:122-141
- No. of Pages:20
- Keywords:pension system in Poland;reform of pension system;reform of pension system 1999;obligatory pension system;
- Summary/Abstract:The reform of the pension system took place during the second wave of reforms in Poland after the thorough transformation of the political and economic system. Poland belongs to the Central and Eastern European group of countries, which (following Hungary) introduced the paradigmatic pension reform which is funded by an obligatory system. Over 20 years after the political transformation and 12 years after the paradigmatic reform of the 1999, a question arose about the main problems and challenges as well as political answers reflected in the (re)designing of the pension system in Poland. This is the main purpose of this article. The text is structured as follows: first, the ten year path towards the paradigmatic 1999 reform will be outlined. This is the starting point for a brief description of key parameters of the old and the new pension system. Since reasons for the pension reform of 1999 and the new Polish pension scheme have been analyzed by many authors, the focus will be on the current regulations and especially changes after the 1999 reform, which are the subject of description in section three. Finally, the main directions of evolution of the pension system in Poland after the paradigmatic reform will be identified.
Social economy in Poland
Social economy in Poland
(Social economy in Poland)
- Author(s):Maciej Frączek, Jerzy Hausner
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Sociology, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, Public Finances, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:142-155
- No. of Pages:14
- Keywords:social economy definition;social economy in Poland;social economy institutions in Poland;
- Summary/Abstract:The purpose of the article is a synthetic presentation of particular theoretical, institutional and statistical issues referring to the social economy functioning in Poland. Being of the opinion, that social economy may and should be an element, that is taken into an account in social policy being currently executed, we don’t elaborate on relationship between social economy and social policy. We focus on describing types of social economy institutions existing in our country, roots and development of social economy, areas of activity of the social economy institutions. We also show the position of the social economy in public policies executed in Poland and describe its support system. Summarizing, we list key challenges that the Polish social economy faces.
Social work and social workers in Poland
Social work and social workers in Poland
(Social work and social workers in Poland)
- Author(s):Marek Rymsza
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Education, Public Administration, Sociology, Labor relations, Welfare systems, Family and social welfare, Welfare services, Public Finances, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:156-168
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:social work in Poland;social workers in Poland;education for social work;bureaucratisation of social welfare;bureaucracy;
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of this chapter is to endeavour a summary of the road travelled in the space of two decades after 1989 (with all the political and economic transformations and modernisation which they brought) by social work in Poland within the meaning of a qualified service provided by social workers within the structure of the social welfare system. And likewise to ponder the current situation and condition of social workers as a professional group.
Long-term care for the elderly in Poland
Long-term care for the elderly in Poland
(Long-term care for the elderly in Poland)
- Author(s):Paweł Łuczak
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Politics, Economy, Sociology, Labor relations, Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Health and medicine and law, Family and social welfare, Welfare services
- Page Range:169-179
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:long-term care in Poland;care for elderly in Poland;
- Summary/Abstract:The paper is organized as follows. The first section starts by setting out the outline of the context of long-term care (LTC) utilization in Poland, i.e. the predominance of informal care. The next part of the paper draws on collected data, presents policies concerning LTC in Poland. Data on social policies on LTC in Poland were compiled from figures given by national bodies, predominantly the Central Statistical Office and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. Due to limited space, only the main aspects of these social policies are considered. For example, the paper does analyze those policies directed at supporting family carers, which are in fact, very modest. The next section focuses on the various policy options that Polish authorities may wish to pursue in their attempts to ameliorate the problems associated with publicly financed LTC services. The final section concludes.
