On the Differences Between Lithuanian and Swedish Social Models

• Published in: Viešoji politika ir administravimas 2004-04, Vol.1 (8)
• Main Authors: Liudvinoviciene, Agne, Guogis, Arvydas
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; lit
• ISSN: 1648-2603; 2029-2872

In the article the model of the welfare state in Lithuania, its development and perspectives are overviewed and also Swedish welfare state and its present situation is considered. In the beginning of creating Lithuanian social security system, there was a turn to corporate welfare state model direction, but later direction has changed to a liberal one. In the article various reasons of this turn are analyzed. Lithuanian political parties, media and even society are not interested much in creation of institutional, Swedish welfare state model. At the moment Lithuania is missing a lot of elements of main socialdemocratic welfare state creation. Recently in Sweden liberal direction as a consequence of globalization and tough economical competition can be noticed. Economical difficulties promoted cuts in the expenses of state social security and application of new public management practice. These new circumstances can shift Sweden from the traditional objectives of socialdemocratic welfare state and the question of implementing of some of its elements in Lithuania may totally disappear from economical, social and political agenda.