Annals of the University of Oradea: Economic Science (Jul 2013)
THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC CRISIS ON PUBLIC SERVICES OF SOCIAL VALUE IN ROMANIA
Abstract
Public services market is closely linked to the involvement of the state in economic and social life. The extent and modalities of involvement varies from one country to another, from one period to another are influenced by many specific factors concrete. With the involvement of the state in economic and social life goals should be considered or - declared or not - -especially those interventions effects on the community and individuals. The paper starts from the idea that public service education, the health care and social services ensures the physical and intellectual integrity of the individual, regardless of his income level. In democratic societies are more and more talking about education as the means of personal development, a service available to all, regardless of social class, religion, gender, and access to health care is considered a basic right of the individual. Medical services should be seen as a means by which many social objectives can be achieved in the long term ( equal opportunities, financial security during illness) not as simple care of the sick. The paper includes analysis related to: the structure of social protection in our country, the scope of these services, the relationship between social protection and poverty, the way and the degree to which social protection deepens or contribute to poverty reduction. The economic crisis triggered in Europe in 2008that also affects Romania, negatively influenced the evolution of social funds in key areas of public interest, education, health and social care. This results from: decreasing share of social spending in the state budget, decreasing share of these expenses in the total family budget due to lower purchasing power and thus the obligation of individual to reduce or waive some costs of this kind, central and local government bodies inability to meet certain service requirements such at the level of the population and especially low-income population groups. Located in the crisis situation the state must seek solutions to keep social services at an appropriate level because the quantity and quality of these services have an impact upon quality of life and standard of living of many individuals. The results of the analysis indicates us a reduced benefit for this type of service, in our country, with negative effects over the entire society. The conclusions aim to support the fact that social policy from our country is insufficient in relation to the real needs of the population, being strongly influenced by domestic economic situation and the size of the global economic crisis.