Social Policy in Macedonia: Progress with EU Approximation
Social Policy in Macedonia: Progress with EU Approximation

Author(s): Author Not Specified
Subject(s): Civil Society, Governance, Social development, Economic development, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Sociology of Politics, EU-Legislation
Published by: Аналитика Тинк-тенк Организација
Keywords: North Macedonia; social policy; EU integration; transition countries; social issues; social protection; equal opportunities; social development; economic development; policy reforms;
Summary/Abstract: Social issues are closely linked to economic performance and governance quality in one society. And while in transition countries social problems rarely receive the attention that economic ones do, the European Union through the Lisbon Agenda clearly linked economic growth with social issues. Social dialogue, social inclusion and several other concepts which entered the vocabulary of policy-makers are product of EU developments in social policy. Macedonian aspirations to join the EU place an obligation to follow EU trends in social policy, social policy is part of negotiating Chapter 19, and adjust to EU legislative and operational standards in this area. EU requirements are good ‘excuse’ to look into the social sphere of Macedonian society, on which two decades of political and economic transition left deep marks. This brief looks and evaluates the current status quo in Macedonian social sphere and notes the progress that Macedonia made in reforming its social policy according to EU standards. Noting the recent outburst of media stories about socially disadvantaged and vulnerable groups suffering exclusion and crime, this is also an effort to incite public debate on the state of social policy in Macedonia and encourage further efforts for improving the social services to citizens.

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