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 Political variation – developmental

states; democratic governments; transitions

Welfare geography of East Asia Social and human development - Human Development Indices

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?

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

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).

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

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?

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