Social Policy and International Interventions in South East Europe proves a comprehensive, dense, and thought provoking read, particularly successful in framing both the historical and institutional contexts of the countries examined, as well as literary debates on the subject and is thus a precious resource. . . Irene Dioli, Journal of Southeastern Europe The questions broached by the volume are of interest to all who are concerned with development and politics. Experts will find the data and is presentation quite useful; others will benefit from the background information presented in each chapter. . . . Social Policy and International Interventions in South East Europe is an excellent addition to the academic literature and will serve all those who are trying to keep pace with fluid developments in the transitional states of south east Europe. Richard P. Farkas, Slavic Review This is a remarkably rich and thought-provoking collection. Its substantial case studies make it a vital resource for studying social policy in South East Europe. Its focus on the flows of international actors, agencies, ideas and resources poses critical questions about how the emergence of social policy, the emergence of new forms of governance and the creation of new spaces of welfare are connected. The implications of this concern with emergent forms and directions reach far beyond the region itself. John Clarke, The Open University, UK A brilliant book that shows conclusively that transnational actors have taken their place alongside states in setting social policy in Europe. Through careful and comprehensive case studies of a wide range of South East European countries, this volume systematically presents a wealth of new data on transnational actor interventions. It helps to shape an emerging debate on the relative power of transnational and domestic actors and makes a unique empirical contribution to the discussion. The authors have done an amazing job of coordinated digging and produced some impressive results. Mitchell Orenstein, Johns Hopkins University, US This comprehensive and engaging book investigates the role of international actors in the making of social policy in South East Europe. Introductory chapters on transnationalism and Europeanization are followed by a series of nine linked case studies depicting research undertaken within this region. The book charts the variable influence that international actors such as formal organizations, non-governmental organizations, consulting companies and individual transnational policy entrepreneurs have on key policy issues, including pensions, social protection, labour markets and health. The authors conclude that welfare settlements are a complex product of historical and institutional legacies, the neo-liberal interventions of the World Bank, the emerging impact of the EU, and the crowded international arena resulting from war and post-war reconstruction agendas. Written by leading researchers in the field, Social Policy and International Interventions in South East Europe will be of great interest to researchers and students of social policy, policy studies and regional studies, as well as policymakers within international and governmental organizations.

This book analyzes various important aspects of methodology and substance regarding economic, social, and political policy in East Europe directed toward achieving more effective, efficient, and equitable societal institutions. The chapters are authored by experts from within East Europe and also from East Europe research institutes elsewhere. The book combines practical policy significance with insightful causal and prescriptive generalizations. The emphasis is on the role of governmnetal decision-making and the important (but secondary) role of the marketplace, social groups, and engineering.

The book presents a multifaceted analysis of the social security system in the Balkan states and offers a comprehensive overview and recommendations on social problems in the region.

By explaining the path of extrication from state socialism, this book clarifies the patterns of the welfare state's transformation in Central and Eastern Europe. It identifies the emergence of a peculiar Eastern European welfare regime through the fusionof pre-communist, communist and post-communist features.

The economic benefits to be gained from investment in public health are increasingly being recognised, as well as its importance for social cohesion, and these objectives play a central role in the European Union's Lisbon agenda. This study seeks to demonstrate the economic importance of the health sector for the countries of south-eastern Europe, by examining trends and patterns of disease burden and socioeconomic inequalities in health, the development of health systems and health policies, as well as options for policy development in order to meet future health challenges in the region.