EU Social Inclusion Policies in Post-Socialist Countries: Top-Down and Bottom-Up Perspectives on Implementation

Description

The fact that post-socialist European Union (EU) countries are struggling with implementation of the EU's social inclusion policy is well known. But why is that so? Are the problems solely connected with how inclusion policies are enforced, or could it just as likely be the way policies are designed that creates challenges? This book explores experiences with inclusion policy implementation in seven different post-socialist EU countries. It focuses particularly on two groups of people in constant danger of social exclusion: people with Roma background and people with disabilities. So far, researchers have studied these issues primarily through policy analysis, and thus not provided knowledge on what actually happens in local contexts where welfare services are produced. This book sheds light on implementation processes at different levels, both at the policy level and in local welfare production. The picture painted here is one of complex and conflicting considerations in inclusion policy implementation, between historical and cultural heritage from the communist period, and EU inclusion policy based on Western European political principles. This book will appeal to undergraduate and post-graduate students, as well as postdoctoral students in social science, disability studies, educational science, and others. The book will also be useful for researchers and others interested in the development of inclusion policies and EU integration issues. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Notes on Contributors Acknowledgements 1 Implementing social inclusion policies in post-socialist EU countries: stumbling blocks and stepping stones Introduction EU social inclusion policies Implementing social policies in post-socialist countries The dynamics of welfare states in European former communist countries Post-socialism This volume Notes References 2 Independent living in Central and Eastern Europe? The challenges of post-socialist deinstitutionalization Introduction Genealogy of disability policy in CEE countries The role of the EU Domestic policy formation Local mobilizations Concluding reflections: from affirmation to transformation Notes References 3 The limits of projects: translating the social inclusion of Roma in Serbi Introduction Roma inclusion in Serbia and the EU Theory and method Case study: the Inclusion of Roma Children (IROC) project Conclusions Notes References 4 Ethnicizing poverty, implementation of structural funds in Slovakia Introduction Constructivist approach to policy implementation Roma exclusion as a policy template The case of Slovakia Implementation Conclusions Notes References 5 Policies for whom? Roma as ethnic and/or national minorities: the case of Hungary and the European Union Introduction Race, ethnicity, and nationality: clusters for conceptualizing groups The Hungarian minority-rights legislative framework Roma in the Hungarian minority-rights legislative framework The post-communist condition and historical path dependence The Hungarian regime in the European policy context Concluding remarks Notes References 6 How can we understand the poor implementation of disability inclusion policy in Romania? Introduction The situation for disabled people in Romania The implementation of EU policies and regulations Comprehending the gap Conclusion Notes References 7 EU social inclusion policy implementation in Poland 1989–2018 Introduction Literature review Theoretical and methodological perspective Failure of the EU social inclusion policy implementation in pre-accession Poland (1989–2000) Partial success of the EU social inclusion policy implementation in the accession period (2001–2006) Preserving the legacy of previous successes: the EU social inclusion policy implementation in the post-accession period (2007–2018) Conclusion Notes References Polish hard and soft law 8 Social inclusion and political participation of persons with disabilities in Slovakia Introduction Recognition of the special status of persons with disabilities in Slovakia framed in a historical context Notions of ‘disability’ Exercise of civil and political rights by persons with disabilities Policy options for improving access to the exercise of civil and political rights by persons with disabilities Main findings and conclusions References 9 Social economy entities as a practical instrument to enhance social inclusion in Poland Introduction Polish model of the social economy Structure and development of social economy entities in Poland Methods framework Conclusions Notes Bibliography 10 The promotion of social inclusion in the Slovak education system through ‘Teach for Slovakia’ programme The Slovak primary and secondary school system in international comparison in terms of equity and excellence Assessment of a case study: theoretical background and methodological framework Main findings and discussion Funding Note References 11 The integrated approach in practice: a framework for Roma work inclusion. Case studies from Romania Introduction The integrated approach – as a framework for intervention with vulnerable persons The Roma population’s income sources in post-communist Romania The use of the integrated approach for improving work inclusion of Roma Conclusions on the use of the integrated approach when working with vulnerable groups Notes References 12 Inclusion policies between EU framework and post-socialist heritage Introduction Similarities and differences in post-socialist welfare models Constructing inclusion policies in national contexts Implementation challenges: between supranational policy and local practice Understanding implementation of inclusion policy in post-socialist countries: the significance of local forces References Index