Social Protection in the Republic of Srpska: Conditions, Challenges and Reforms

This chapter represents the portrait of the social welfare and social policy system in the Republic of Srpska (RS). The constitution of RS included the process of reorganising the system of social protection. This process characterised many crises and problems: disintegration of former Yugoslavia, war throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where RS exists as the entity of BiH, and the socio-economic transition from socialist to capitalist society arrangement. Establishing the society of RS in such a crisis context influenced the process of establishing the social policy and social protection system as well. Inherited social problems from the former Socialistic Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina that existed in the territory of RS, additionally challenged the social policy, social protection and social welfare systems. All these problems were “jointly” caused by the war and socio-economic transition that followed the Dayton Peace Accord. The analysis of social policy and social protection in RS shows a rudimental evolution development flow and the need for reforms. The reforms have been carried out in an extremely slow manner and have been rudimentary, moving away from the previous socialist period of time. The regulation of this process has been directed by the fragmented interventions based on practical emergencies, needs and possibilities in the practice as well as “reform” activities inducted by the international organisations present in BiH.