POVERTYAND MODELS OF SOCIAL
PROTECTION IN THE SEE COUNTRIES
Prof. Dr. Jovan Pejkovski,
Head of the Institute for social work and social policy “Mother Teresa”,
Faculty of Philosophy, University “Ss Cyril and Methodius” Skopje
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Introduction
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Poverty as a phenomenon is found in almost
all countries.
The question is whether poverty and
inequality can only be solved with the
systems of social protection and social
security, or they must be changed and
supplemented with innovative solutions that
will prevent the potential social conflicts.
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Also the countries of South-eastern Europe
have faced this problem.
The processes of transition, or the
introduction of the capitalist system of
regulation, and transformation of ownership
from the state into private, created a large
number of unemployed and poor people.
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Models of Social Europe
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The analysis of the established systems and
models of social influence can be based on
different grounds.
In order to emphasize the diversity of the
established models the analysis starts from
the systems which are arranged on the
principles that are operational.
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These models are not only different in
conceptions of the role and place of the
social values ​that they should have them in
the realization of the project of European
integration.
They various decision-making processes are
founded in terms of social values ​in the
European Union, and these processes in
turn provided the different levels of
participation of different social groups.
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Poverty in Europe
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The differences that exist in Europe of
cultural, social and political grounds affect
on the economic and social development.
Most Western European countries followed
the models of social policy and social
protection that allow comparison given the
capitalist systems, political democracy and
the introduction of the welfare state.
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In European countries they have created
schemes of policies to combat poverty,
which allows relatively easy to make
comparisons between trends and
achievements of these structures based on
free EU market.
Statistical comparisons between countries
reveal similar patterns of poverty, although
their extent and size varies and also the
measures and models for its elimination.
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In 2015, 118.7 million people, or 23.7% of
the population in the EU-28 were at risk of
poverty or social exclusion (AROPE),
compared with 24.4% in 2014.
This means that these people are at least
one of the following conditions: the risk of
poverty after social transfers (poverty);
severely materially deprived or living in
households with very low work intensity.
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It is obvious that without social
transfer or without adequate social
policy protection the social systems in
these states will be at risk.
That is the reason that large amount
of money is transferring from the state
budget toward people at risk.
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Situation in South-eastern Europe
Country
Population
GDP
GNI per Unemployment
total millions growth
capita in rate in 2015
in 2015
(annual) 2015
Percent
2015
УС$
Poverty
rate at
US$5/day
PPP
percent of
population
Population
below
poverty line
The World
Fact book
CIA
Albania
2,9
2,9%
4.280
17,1
46,2
25
Bosnia
and 3,8
Herzegovina
3%
4.670
27,7
n/a
25
Kosovo
1,8
3,9%
3.970
32,9
n/a
35
Macedonia
2,1
3,7%
5.140
26,1
17,3
28,7
Montenegro
0,6
3,2%
7.220
17,6
11,9
7
Serbia
7,1
0,8%
5.540
17,7
n/a
7,9
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From the table can be seen the similarities
and differences that characterized the
economies and level of development of
these SEE countries.
Their situation shows still presence of the
factors affecting the low growth rates in the
gross domestic product.
This in turn is followed by high rates of
unemployment and associated with the level
of poverty.
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The problems of poverty and social
exclusion constitute a serious obstacle to
economic and social development of these
countries.
The efforts to overcome them must be
based on the comprehensive research and
analysis of population and countries affected
by this type of problems.
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However, the identification and treatment of
these problems is not always an easy task
due to the complexity of their definition and
implementation.
The consequences of transition and
transformation are not exceeded and it
imposes a task for new developmental
philosophy and for dynamic growth and
development in which social problems
should be incorporated.
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Poverty in the Republic of Macedonia
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The establishment of common indicators at EU
level is an important shift in the fight against
poverty and social exclusion.
State Statistical Office of the Republic of
Macedonia in line with the European Union,
calculate Laeken indicators of poverty. Source
of the calculations of income poverty and the
poverty threshold is defined at 60% of median
equivalent income.
According official data from the State Statistical
Office, in 2015, the rate of poor people in the
country amounted to 21.5%.
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Indicators of Poverty and Social Exclusion in the Republic
of Macedonia for 2013-2015 are:
Laeken poverty indicators
2013
2014
2015
At-risk-of-poverty rate, % of population
Number of persons below at-risk-of-poverty
threshold, in thousand persons
At-risk-of-poverty threshold of single-person
household - annual equivalent income in
denars
At-risk-of-poverty threshold of four-person
household (2 adults and 2 children aged less
than 14) - annual equivalent income in denars
At-risk-of-poverty rate before social transfers
and before pensions, % of population
24,2
500,4
22,1
457,2
21,5
445,2
70 275
71 925
78 362
147 578
151 043
164 560
41,0
41,7
40,5
Inequality of income distribution S80/S20
8,4
7,2
6,6
Inequality of income distribution Gini
coefficient
37,0
35,2
33,7
Sources: State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia
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Based on the data it can be concluded that in
the Republic of Macedonia as a result of
numerous adopted and implemented measures
and activities in the social sphere, the poverty
rate tends to its continuous reduction.
That does not mean that soon could disappear,
given that it is high above the level of the
compared countries from EU and SEE.
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Discussion
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The launching of a number of actions to reduce
poverty has some common characteristics. The
dominant model is the state intervention based
on the transfer and redistribution of budget
funds.
The neoliberal model and the welfare state are
increasingly acknowledged as unrealistic
idealized models that cannot solve the problems
of poverty. It follows that poverty is immanent
to the capitalist system and he will further
maintained poverty but that in itself will be
reproduced as a generational phenomenon, or
etc. vicious circle of poverty.
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Therefore are louder the demands for a
new contract in the society that would
ensure not only social protection but
also a higher level of social security.
Some calls it that could be an income for
every citizen, whether employed or not.
The opponents of this idea are seen that it
do not creates motivational basis for work
and entrepreneurship as a factor without
which there no growth and development.
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The strongest way to reduce the poverty is
opening new jobs or employment and
investments.
Countries that implement measures from a
wide range of activation of labour and
employment especially for the youth deserve
respect.
In the area of ​macroeconomic policy requires
funds, institutions with influence, education and
many other elements that will increase the
awareness of the citizens for accepting these
redistributive measures.
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In this context social protection as a policy in
the long run remains only as corrective, while
investment and employment, also in the long
term, are sustainable solutions to reduce
poverty. It is very hard that the poverty would
be eliminated.
The measures of the social protection systems
should be complemented with the arsenal of
measures of social security systems and
encouraging macroeconomic development.
In synergy with action and social investment
can be achieved positive effects.
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Conclusion
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It can be concluded that the systems of social
protection in the existing shape and size require
adjustments and guarantee for the distribution of
income which will be socially righteous and
dignified. Only then can the individual to meet their
and family needs and have a level of security.
The systems of organizing on a state-level and local
community assume modern social management
function of effective social and overall
development.
It requires the use of strategies to reduce poverty
and new model of social transfers that will cover
the necessary needs of citizens.
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Social protection and social security system is
necessary to be shaped and regulated allowing
whole society to use the benefits of the
achieved level of development and to maintain
the stability of the systems.
The defined rights in each country are raising
the interest among the population and the
institutions how to change the system and to
improve the living conditions and standard of
the people.
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Thank you for your
attention
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