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

At a time when pension reform is intensely debated all over the world, postcommunist countries have accomplished some of the most radical reforms, yet with notable differences among them. Why did some Central and Eastern European countries achieve major reforms while others have struggled to overcome domestic opposition? "The Politics of Pension Reform in Central and Eastern Europe" reveals unexpected patterns of political party competition that shed light on this essential question of pension politics. Using a comparative analysis of Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia this study shows that nationalist parties are the strongest opponents to reform, while the social democrats play a pivotal role between the pro-reform liberals and the anti-reform nationalists. This book argues that the most resilient to reform are the occupational privileges inherited from the communist regime.