Social Policy, Social Justice and Citizenship in Eastern Europe - Studies in the Social Policy of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union

This is a collection of papers produced on aspects of East European and Soviet social policy during 1990. It includes contributions from both East European and Western scholars addressing the key issues of social policy as the countries described move from centrally planned to market and, in most areas, capitalist economies. The social costs of the economic changes are addressed in chapters on the social groups at risk. The problems involved in legitimating the emerging social inequalities are described. The scope for and limitations of an active citizenship involvement in the development of new social policies is considered. The diverse social interests emerging and seeking attention are examined and some possible future strategies for welfare are considered. This text reports some of the first problems of social policy to surface after the old regimes were overthrown and perennial problems of social policy as they are being addressed 'on the run' in the market democracies of Eastern Europe.