Suchergebnisse

In this article a presently existing public administration system in Lithuania as well as the position of municipalities (subjects of local self–government) in that system are described, the features of the "real" local self–government are being formulated, potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government are distinguished and currently main problems of municipalities of Lithuania are indicated. The author of the article notes that in Lithuania up till now the concept of the "real" local self–government has not been clearly and unambiguously defined yet. That makes the formulation of target goals, tasks and means as well as their implementation developing the system of local self–government more difficult. Seeking at least partly to fill the existing gap, the author of the article formulates eight features of the "real" local self–government. Having defined the problem of local self–government as a deviation from the "normal" conditions for the functioning of the local self–government system that cause negative changes in the system, the author of the article shows the relationship between the "normal" conditions for the functioning of local self–government and the formulated features of the "real" local self–government. According to this relationship the author of the article indicates eight potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government. On the basis of the accumulated knowledge and acquired experience the author of the article points out five groups of currently particularly important problems for local self–government of Lithuania, which are conditionally named as follows: 1) suppressed independence; 2) insufficient constructiveness of the relationship among different levels of government; 3) economic problems of municipalities; 4) not involving community members in managing local affairs; 5) inertness of municipalities.

In this article a presently existing public administration system in Lithuania as well as the position of municipalities (subjects of local self–government) in that system are described, the features of the "real" local self–government are being formulated, potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government are distinguished and currently main problems of municipalities of Lithuania are indicated. The author of the article notes that in Lithuania up till now the concept of the "real" local self–government has not been clearly and unambiguously defined yet. That makes the formulation of target goals, tasks and means as well as their implementation developing the system of local self–government more difficult. Seeking at least partly to fill the existing gap, the author of the article formulates eight features of the "real" local self–government. Having defined the problem of local self–government as a deviation from the "normal" conditions for the functioning of the local self–government system that cause negative changes in the system, the author of the article shows the relationship between the "normal" conditions for the functioning of local self–government and the formulated features of the "real" local self–government. According to this relationship the author of the article indicates eight potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government. On the basis of the accumulated knowledge and acquired experience the author of the article points out five groups of currently particularly important problems for local self–government of Lithuania, which are conditionally named as follows: 1) suppressed independence; 2) insufficient constructiveness of the relationship among different levels of government; 3) economic problems of municipalities; 4) not involving community members in managing local affairs; 5) inertness of municipalities.

The publication was compiled to provide the Lithuanian reader with a comprehensive understanding of gender responsive economic initiatives. It provides a conceptual and theoretical framework, traces the evolution of work in this area, shows how gender economics and gender analysis have been used as a tool of a more efficient allocation of economic resources. The article outlines and discusses the main gender problems and their impact into the government economic policy not only on the micro– but on the macro level too. It is the discussion about the gender responsive budget, trade liberalisation and gender impact into the trade liberalisation and gender responsive financial policy. The author concludes the integration and implementation of the gender analysis into the Lithuanian government economic policy could accelerate the sustainable economic growth and soften the consequences of globalisation process.

The publication was compiled to provide the Lithuanian reader with a comprehensive understanding of gender responsive economic initiatives. It provides a conceptual and theoretical framework, traces the evolution of work in this area, shows how gender economics and gender analysis have been used as a tool of a more efficient allocation of economic resources. The article outlines and discusses the main gender problems and their impact into the government economic policy not only on the micro– but on the macro level too. It is the discussion about the gender responsive budget, trade liberalisation and gender impact into the trade liberalisation and gender responsive financial policy. The author concludes the integration and implementation of the gender analysis into the Lithuanian government economic policy could accelerate the sustainable economic growth and soften the consequences of globalisation process.

Lithuania faces difficult dilemmas in the field of old age security. Aging population, weak bonds between current wages, salaries and amount of (size of) future pensions causes certain dissatisfactions and risks. They alongside with the pressure of certain interest groups which are interested in possibility to enter financial flows and to take benefits from partial privatization of these flows create certain gnoseological, political and ideological climate surrounding the issue of pension reform. In these circumstances the use of neutral, scientific approach would be helpful. Together with more open, comprehensive, democratic discourse it would add to the rationality, prudence of the decisions concerning the issue. Author of the article argues that the currently functioning pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system together with some shortcomings have its advantages which should not be neglected in the discussion on the pension reforms. On the other hand private pension system based on individual accumulation is not so advantages and effective as its portrayed by its proponents. It is connected with rather high risk both for individuals and for state. The danger of loss of money in the financial markets in case of downfall of the value of securities and the threat to budgetary stability of the country are two major reasons to refrain from overly enthusiastic attitudes towards private, especially mandatory, pension funds. The experience of Argentina, Hungary, Poland should caution us against impulsive, non-comprehensive decision. West European and especially Scandinavian pattern could serve us a good service.

Lithuania faces difficult dilemmas in the field of old age security. Aging population, weak bonds between current wages, salaries and amount of (size of) future pensions causes certain dissatisfactions and risks. They alongside with the pressure of certain interest groups which are interested in possibility to enter financial flows and to take benefits from partial privatization of these flows create certain gnoseological, political and ideological climate surrounding the issue of pension reform. In these circumstances the use of neutral, scientific approach would be helpful. Together with more open, comprehensive, democratic discourse it would add to the rationality, prudence of the decisions concerning the issue. Author of the article argues that the currently functioning pay-as-you-go (PAYG) system together with some shortcomings have its advantages which should not be neglected in the discussion on the pension reforms. On the other hand private pension system based on individual accumulation is not so advantages and effective as its portrayed by its proponents. It is connected with rather high risk both for individuals and for state. The danger of loss of money in the financial markets in case of downfall of the value of securities and the threat to budgetary stability of the country are two major reasons to refrain from overly enthusiastic attitudes towards private, especially mandatory, pension funds. The experience of Argentina, Hungary, Poland should caution us against impulsive, non-comprehensive decision. West European and especially Scandinavian pattern could serve us a good service.