The paper discusses aspects of Croatian social policy, particularly social inclusion and social dialogue, in the context of Croatia's status as a candidate country for accession to the EU. It describes the development of a European Social Model demonstrating that, notwithstanding certain problems, significant achievements have been made within the EU. Social dialogue has evolved from consultation to social governance, and the open method of co-ordination is implemented not only regarding employment issues but also in the social inclusion process. Furthermore, European concerns have been extended to the fields of pensions and health care, which will be addressed in future joint EU Social Protection Reports. The paper notes the salience of social policy issues in previous waves of accession. Analysis of Croatian welfare reforms shows that, thus far, the EU impact has been very limited. The paper calls for strengthened efforts, by Croatia and the EU, to ensure that aspects of social policy and the European Social Model are more systematically discussed, addressed and implemented as Croatia proceeds towards EU membership.
Discusses the historical & current relationship between the social sciences, the scientific method, & postmodern theory. Drawing on the methodology & conclusions of Galileo, modern science has attempted to reduce the distance between science & reality through objective methodology & heightened rationality. It is argued here that the scientific method relies more on the choice of appropriate language & vocabulary than on actual correspondence between methodology & fact. Social scientists have traditionally adopted this skewed approach to life through the scientific method, which blurs rather than reveals reality. The boundaries between explanation & understanding, or nature & humanity, have little meaning in the real world, & it is suggested that the social sciences must be seen as continuous with literature, history, anthropology, politics, etc. Both Thomas Dewey & Michel Foucault advocate rejection of traditional notions of rationality, objectivity, method, & truth. However, it is concluded that Dewey's vocabulary allows more room for hope & solidarity within the social sciences. T. Sevier
Social entrepreneurship is usually understood as an economic activity which focuses at social values, goals, and investments that generates surpluses for social entrepreneurs as individuals, groups, and startups who are working for the benefit of communities, instead of strictly focusing mainly at the financial profit, economic values, and the benefit generated for shareholders or owners. Social entrepreneurship combines the production of goods, services, and knowledge in order to achieve both social and economic goals and allow for solidarity building. From a broader perspective, entities that are focused on social entrepreneurship are identified as parts of the social and solidarity economy. These are, for example, social enterprises, cooperatives, mutual organizations, self-help groups, charities, unions, fair trade companies, community enterprises, and time banks. Social innovation is a key element of social entrepreneurship. Social innovation is usually understood as new strategies, concepts, products, services, and organizational forms that allow for the satisfaction of needs. Such innovations are created in particular in the contact areas of various sectors of the social system. For example, these are spaces between the public sector, the private sector, and civil society. These innovations not only allow the solving of problems but also extend possibilities for public action.
It is argued that the striking differences across Europe in the labor force participation rates of women with children cannot be explained by differences in social policy or welfare system alone. This volume, resulting from research conducted 1998-2001 by the European Commission, explores the interaction of individual motivations & sociopolitical factors that prompt some mothers to enter the workforce & other to remain at home, highlighting the intersection of social policies & practices across different welfare regimes. The current work situation of mothers -- & all women -- is considered against the backdrop of gender-equality policies developed since the late 1950s, along with treaties that have provided the legal basis for such policies; laws against sexual discrimination, guarantees of "equal pay for equal work," & provision of childcare services are highlighted. The continued "gender coding" of certain activities, eg, child care & household maintenance, as "women's work" is discussed & sociopolitical factors in individual EU member states that impact gender-equality policies are considered. K. Hyatt Stewart
"In light of the increasing importance of social innovation, this paper explores the question of what (new) roles social sciences can play in analyzing and shaping social innovation. The paper starts with an overview of the current situation and the perspectives of socio-scientific innovation research that have greatly contributed to the development and spread of an enlightened socio-scientific understanding of innovation. Against the backdrop of clear paradoxes and confusion in prevailing politics of innovation, the contours of a new innovation paradigm are becoming visible and causing social innovation to grow in importance. Consistently, the social sciences will be challenged to redefine their functions with regard to innovation. In the past, innovation research in the context of social sciences has contributed heavily to explain the social dimensions, the complexity and paradoxa of innovation processes. Henceforth, much will depend on realigning the range of competencies of social science and social scientists by contributing actively to the development and integration of innovations as well as by developing social innovation." (author's abstract)
"Social innovation and development have to be placed in the perspective of sustainability. Overcoming poverty and pauperization is not only an issue for the Third World; however, the so-called developed nations, i.e. mainly the OECD countries, are facing increasing social inequality and pauperization after their short dream of ever-lasting prosperity (Lutz 1984). Mini-credits have been regarded as a means of overcoming pauperization first in Third World countries, later in developed countries as well, and the idea has been compensated by the Nobel Prize for peace in 2006. But not only since the recent conflict about its initiator, Muhammad Yunus, there has been rising critique, especially in India. Strategies for sustainability include Corporate Social Responsibility, the development of a strong civil society, the quality of democratic participation, and by it strengthening the trade unions as the largest democratic institutions in our societies. Civil society is not only in the core of democratization but also for social innovation. Since the Age of Enlightenment science and its institutions are the center for innovation and social innovation. The reference here is not only in regard to Schumpeter but for Karl Polanyi too. Since the 1970s there is a debate about zero growth and alternative measurements for the quality of life and working life, beyond GDP (Széll, G., & Széll, U. (Eds.) (2009). Quality of Life & Working Life in Comparison. Frankfurt/ M: Peter Lang)." (author's abstract)
Western European countries' fear that national social welfare systems are on the verge of collapse is investigated. Factors that encourage individuals to work are separated into three categories: intrinsic work incentives (eg, respect); extrinsic incentives to work (eg, happiness); & general reasons for working (eg, social contact). It is subsequently argued that the benefits derived from receiving social welfare fail to adequately compensate recipients, especially with regard to the aforementioned categories of work incentives. An analysis of relevant literature demonstrated that welfare benefit fraud is not extensive in Western European nations. The political debate surrounding the existence of "lazy-scroungers" in contemporary Germany is scrutinized to illustrate the German government's failure to accurately identify causes of rising unemployment. It is concluded that social welfare is a necessary part of social justice systems since it ultimately assists individuals to meet their basic human needs. 1 Table, 1 Figure, 48 References. J. W. Parker
Western European countries' fear that national social welfare systems are on the verge of collapse is investigated. Factors that encourage individuals to work are separated into three categories: intrinsic work incentives (eg, respect); extrinsic incentives to work (eg, happiness); & general reasons for working (eg, social contact). It is subsequently argued that the benefits derived from receiving social welfare fail to adequately compensate recipients, especially with regard to the aforementioned categories of work incentives. An analysis of relevant literature demonstrated that welfare benefit fraud is not extensive in Western European nations. The political debate surrounding the existence of "lazy-scroungers" in contemporary Germany is scrutinized to illustrate the German government's failure to accurately identify causes of rising unemployment. It is concluded that social welfare is a necessary part of social justice systems since it ultimately assists individuals to meet their basic human needs. 1 Table, 1 Figure, 48 References. J. W. Parker
"'Social innovation' is a construct increasingly used to explain the practices, processes and actors through which sustained positive transformation occurs in the network society (Mulgan, G., Tucker, S., Ali, R., Sander, B. (2007). Social innovation: What it is, why it matters and how can it be accelerated. Oxford: Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship; Phills, J. A., Deiglmeier, K., & Miller, D. T. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 6(4):34-43, 2008.). Social innovation has been defined as a 'novel solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable, or just than existing solutions, and for which the value created accrues primarily to society as a whole rather than private individuals.' (Phills, J. A., Deiglmeier, K., & Miller, D. T. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 6(4):34-43, 2008: 34.) Emergent ideas of social innovation challenge some traditional understandings of the nature and role of the Third Sector, as well as shining a light on those enterprises within the social economy that configure resources in novel ways. In this context, social enterprises - which provide a social or community benefit and trade to fulfil their mission - have attracted considerable policy attention as one source of social innovation within a wider field of action (see Leadbeater, C. (2007). 'Social enterprise and social innovation: Strategies for the next 10 years', Cabinet office, Office of the third sector http://www.charlesleadbeater.net/cms/xstandard/social_enterprise_innovation.pdf. Last accessed 19/5/2011.). And yet, while social enterprise seems to have gained some symbolic traction in society, there is to date relatively limited evidence of its real world impacts. (Dart, R. Not for Profit Management and Leadership, 14(4):411-424, 2004.) In other words, not much is known about the social innovation capabilities and effects of social enterprise. In this chapter, the authors consider the social innovation practices of social enterprise, drawing on Mulgan, G., Tucker, S., Ali, R., Sander, B. (2007). Social innovation: What it is, why it matters and how can it be accelerated. Oxford: Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship: 5) three dimensions of social innovation: new combinations or hybrids of existing elements; cutting across organizational, sectoral and disciplinary boundaries; and leaving behind compelling new relationships. Based on a detailed survey of 365 Australian social enterprises, the authors examine their self-reported business and mission-related innovations, the ways in which they configure and access resources and the practices through which they diffuse innovation in support of their mission. They then consider how these findings inform their understanding of the social innovation capabilities and effects of social enterprise, and their implications for public policy development." (author's abstract)
