The Politics of Pension Reform in Central and Eastern Europe: Political Parties, Coalitions, and Policies (Hardback)

"As demographic pressures continue to mount, pension reform has become one of the most controversial and important political issues facing Europe's post-communist nations. Some East European nations have managed to achieve radical pension reform while others have not. This ambitious, comparative study untangles the dilemmas that surround pension reform, arguing that the long-term sustainability of pension reform depends on the relative strength of pro-reform coalitions. Armeanu's detailed analysis of the politics of pension reform makes this book a valuable resource for understanding the difficult policy choices that confront nations throughout Europe." - Stephen Wegren, Southern Methodist University "The Politics of Pension Reform in Central and Eastern Europe provides an important contribution to our understanding of the politics of pension reform. Through her analysis of political party strategies and coalition politics in Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, Armeanu brings much-needed attention to the crucial political actors in whose hands the legislation of pension reform rests. In doing so, the study provides rich insights into the varied national responses to common pressures for pension reform across nations. This book will contribute greatly to our knowledge of welfare state reform well beyond the postcommunist setting." - Sarah Brooks, Ohio State University