Childcare Systems in Post State-Socialist Countries: Comparative Cases from Brno, Szekesfehervar and Tartu

Abstract

Thirteen papers, based on a European research project, the "Impact of local welfare systems on female labor force participation and social cohesion (FLOWS)," present comparisons of local welfare systems and policy making at the city level in relation to national welfare policies. Papers discuss measuring women's labor market integration--the issue of adequate indicators; urban economic specialization and women's integration into the labor market in eleven European cities; gendering social vulnerability--the role of labor market destandardization and local welfare; vertical governance, national regulation, and autonomy of local policy making; local policy making--the playground of ideas, mindsets, strategies, and roles; local welfare policy in a centralized governance system--childcare and eldercare services in a period of rapid change in Leeds; the relationships between local and national childcare policies--a comparison of Nordic and Southern European cities; childcare systems in post-state socialist countries--comparative cases from Brno, Szekesfehervar, and Tartu; the incomplete revolution--development of childcare policies in Ireland; centralization and decentralization of eldercare policies in Europe; female labor market integration in the city of Nantes and care policies for older people--the French Puzzle; the impact of the policy framework on the integration of informal caregivers into the labor market in Tartu, Estonia; and a comparative perspective of voluntary organizations and their role in care for older people--the case of the Red Cross. Kutsar is Associate Professor of Social Policy at the University of Tartu. Kuronen is Professor of Social Work in the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy at the University of Jyvaskyla. No index.