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Regional Perspective: Social Protection in East Asia

Regional Perspective: Social Protection in East Asia. Sarah Cook (IDS) and Huck-ju Kwon (Sung Kyun Kwan University). Context – regional diversity. Levels of economic development Structural and demographic transitions

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Regional Perspective: Social Protection in East Asia

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  1. Regional Perspective: Social Protection in East Asia Sarah Cook (IDS) and Huck-ju Kwon (Sung Kyun Kwan University)

  2. Context – regional diversity • Levels of economic development • Structural and demographic transitions • Political variation – developmental states; democratic governments; transitions • Welfare geography of East Asia • Social and human development - • Human Development Indices

  3. Questions • The relationship between economic development and social protection • Different responses to economic crisis and restructuring • What social policy choices do low income Asian economies have in order to achieve economic development and adequate social protection, given policy constraints?

  4. Pre-crisis welfare arrangements • Welfare developmentalism • State provision for groups strategic in economic development (social insurance / provident funds) • ‘Confucian family’ as basis of welfare provision • Minimal social assistance • Reinforces social inequalities; limited protection in event of crisis

  5. Response to crisis • Strengthening social policy and protection as a strategy for economic restructuring (Korea, Taiwan) • Retrenchment: reduction in social spending to cope with crisis (Hong Kong, Singapore) • Safety nets as emergency response (Indonesia, Thailand) • Intermediating factors: Political (degree of democratisation); social mobilisation (civil society).

  6. Managing marketisation • Reform / Renovation in China and Vietnam: developmental state strategy? • ‘Societalisation’ of welfare provision – reducing the role of the state; reducing generous provision to elite workers • Rural decollectivisation • Marketisation of health and education • Increasing inequalities: rural-urban; regional… • Expanding social protection: avoiding social unrest, protecting economic growth, maintaining political legitimacy

  7. Options for low income countries • Minimal existing social protection: limited information (Laos, Cambodia) • Expanding safety nets to provide social protection: cash transfers… • Building sustainable institutional framework for social protection: Social insurance, provident funds.. • ‘Initial conditions’ – distribution of wealth? • Changing global context: statist vs liberal strategies?

  8. Research and policy agenda • The ‘new developmental state’: • negotiating political interests for economic development • inclusive welfare developmentalism – social rights and citizenship • Financing mechanisms - equity and sustainability • Social protection for informal and migrant workers • Social protection in low income Asian economies – knowledge gaps? • Gender issues in ageing societies • Role of regional organisations and aid flows

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