Abstract
Social security remains a critical domain necessitating efforts for improvement in both Serbia and Kosovo. Despite the lapse of over two decades since the 1999 conflict, the advancement of social security measures has been insufficient. Originating from a historical context where socialist governance did not prioritize social security, both nations continue to grapple with this challenge. In addition, social security is inextricably linked to broader issues of sustainability, political stability, economic growth, and social development. Consequently, it is imperative for both Serbia and Kosovo to intensify their initiatives in this domain.
The book serves as an indispensable resource in this regard. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the social security landscape in the Western Balkans, specifically focusing on the post-1999 landscape in Serbia and Kosovo. The contributors to this volume are distinguished academics from these countries, selected not only for their expertise but also for their firsthand experience with the day-to-day realities of social security in their countries. This dual perspective lends a unique and critical depth to their analyses, making the book a seminal work in the field.
This third volume in the series on Balkan social security completes the trilogy providing a comprehensive view of the Western Balkans. It focuses specifically on the social security systems in Serbia and Kosovo following the 1999 conflict. Żakowska’s introductory analysis highlights the challenges confronting these countries and calls for critical scrutiny of their still-evolving social security infrastructures. This section also provides an overview of the subsequent chapters.
The book aims to underscore the key role of social security in societal development, advocating for substantial reforms in both Serbia and Kosovo. Structured in a coherent, chronological way, the volume facilitates an in-depth understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding social security. Employing a rigorous analytical framework, the text identifies causative factors for these challenges, contextualized within the post-conflict landscape of both countries. All authors emphasize the necessity of examining the pension systems in Serbia and Kosovo, as well as the reforms undertaken over time and the contributions of political parties to state-building processes. These are identified as key elements of development in both countries. The cited literature enhances the book’s academic rigor, incorporating references from the post-conflict period, including scholarly books, domestic research studies, institutional data, and reports from international organizations active in the region. Given its comprehensive scope, the book serves as an important resource for students and researchers. Furthermore, it merits the attention of policymakers and governmental decision-makers in both countries, advocating for informed, evidence-based policy interventions.
The book is divided into two sections. The first section includes four chapters on social security in Serbia, while the second section consists of an equal number of chapters focusing on Kosovo. In both sections, authors from the respective countries engage in a comparative analysis of similar facets of social security, thereby enriching the discourse.
First Section – Social Security in Serbia
The initial section of the book comprises chapters authored by Serbian academics and researches who demonstrate thorough knowledge and expertise on social security issues in Serbia during the post-conflict period. All four chapters offer a comprehensive picture of social security and sustainability in Serbia after the conflict, highlighting challenges and suggesting solutions for economic growth and stability. In the chapter entitled ‘Overview of Social Protection in Serbia: Current Perspectives and Challenges’, Katarina Stanić and Gordana Matković employ both explanatory and desk research methods to present the social protection system in Serbia. They identify the main challenges and areas for improvement. The subsequent chapter, ‘The Pension System in Serbia: Developments, Current State and Challenges’, authored by Katarina Stanić describes the reforms undertaken in Serbia’s pension system over the last 20 years. She highlights the unique characteristics of the Serbian pension system and offers recommendations for further improvement. In ‘Decentralization of Social Care Services in Serbia’, Gordana Matković studies the viability of community-based services in Serbia. She also provides a mapping of social care within the jurisdiction of local government, analyzing legal and public documents as primary sources for her analysis. Concluding the first section, the chapter, ‘Unemployment in Serbia: Characteristics and Challenges’, co-authored by Maja Jandrić and Marzena Żakowska, offers an in-depth analysis of the major factors affecting unemployment. They also focus on the links between economic growth, the labor market, institutions, and unemployment for the period from 2001 to 2019.
Second Section – Social Security in Kosovo
The second section of the book features contributions exclusively from Kosovar academics, who rigorously analyze the current situation and conditions of social security in the country. This section delves into the intricate relationship between political transformation and the development of independent domestic state institutions, particularly as they pertain to social security in Kosovo. In the chapter ‘The Renegotiation of Social Policy in Kosovo: Gradual Institutional Change since Independence’, co-authors, Artan Mustafa and Pëllumb Çollaku, focus their study on institutional change in Kosovo since its declaration of independence. The uniqueness of the chapter lies in its emphasis on four main social sectors: social insurance, poverty protection, employment, and wage protection. The role of political parties and coalitions in influencing change is central to the authors’ theoretical approaches. In ‘Developments and Challenges in the Kosovo Pension System’, Remzije Istrefi and Ruzhdi Morina study the pension system and analyze its main challenges, including a comparative review of the theoretical and legal framework of the pension system in Kosovo. Meanwhile in ‘Buying Social Peace: Lessons from Kosovo’, Besnik Fetahu and Marzena Żakowska highlight the construction of social security in Kosovo and examine factors that have influenced this process since the 1999 conflict. The authors base their analysis on both left-wing (communist) and right-wing (liberal) approaches. In the final chapter ‘Kosovo Society: Coexistence, Challenges and Opportunities’, Dritero Arifi and Ngadhnjim Brovina examine inter-ethnic relations and social integration, assessing their impact on Kosovo’s institutional identity in terms of social security.
Żakowska places special emphasis on the conclusion, which synthesizes the analyses and considerations of all contributing authors. In addition, the editor pays special attention to suggesting recommendations for further improving and developing social security in Serbia and Kosovo. The conclusions and recommendations make the book a valuable resource for researchers and a strategic guide for governmental policy formulation in both countries. It serves a dual purpose: it not only reflects the current phenomena and underlying causes affecting social security but also functions as a repository for future improvement strategies.
For these reasons, the book stands as a seminal work. It not only documents the historical development of social security in Serbia band Kosovo but also lays a valuable foundation for formulation of efficient state strategies aimed at social sustainability and stability in both countries.