Social Policies in Brazil and Ukraine - Essay Example

Question 3 Compare and Contrast Social Policies in One or More Post-Communist Societies and Any South East Asian or Latin American Country The socialpolicies; which include a nation’s safety, communal safeguarding, disparities, increasing poverty, huge informal sections, assets and flaws of provisional well-being, insurance base of benefit, cultures, health care works etc.; in Brazil – a Latin American country – and Ukraine – a post-communist state – are almost cons to each other as they have opposite and completely different strategies. Regarding the social security programs in both the nations Brazil has by far exceeded in their efforts to provide a balanced and secured financial structure to the public. Whereas the post-communist state, Ukraine still has soviet features in its policies although they have improvised a lot since their independence. Significant alterations in their social security strategies have taken place however; some changes have aided even less to the protection of the nation than before. The social insurance system of Brazil composes of schemes regarding the welfare of people in old age, people with disabilities, survivors, unemployed individuals, relying families of insured but apprehended people along with maternity coverage for women. Their social safety plans guarantees the protection of people in times of vulnerability or for their welfare during a crisis. They provide pensions for the retired and the incapacitated that has inadequate means. Such plans are included in schemes like the Bolsa Família Programme (Dear 2001). On the other hand, the social security system of Ukraine comprises of the same constituents with different perspectives. Regarding the insurance policies for old people their strategy has moved from being mandatory state pension insurance to Non-State Pension Provision both in 2004. The former being based on taxes from the employees and the latter being based on the voluntary contributions from the nation to provide tax relief. The changes in reforms for the unemployed altered from being financed by the employers solely to being aided by the employees too. Regarding their policies during crisis situations their history is not as impressive as the country had to face famine, the after effects of World War II and significant migrations that followed their independence. (Dear, 2001) The figurative data of both countries regarding public social security expenditure (including health) as % of PIB is 21.0 in Brazil while it is 17.0 in Ukraine and the public social security expenditure (including health) as % of government expenditure is 16.0 in Brazil whereas it is 13.0 in Ukraine (Kakwani 1995). Comparing the section of health policies under social protection of both the nations, Brazil’s reforms have proved to be much better than Ukraine and other post-communist states. Even with its vast population and huge area, Brazil’s schemes work under the basis of equality. Same medical insurance and provisions are ensured to every inhabitant of Brazil as medical facilities are available to everyone in the country free of cost. Unified Health System (SUS) of Brazil ensures peaceful and fair dealings in the health sector and is achieved and endowed by all stages of government however many citizens sill have private health coverage. The total expenditures on health as % of GDP in Brazil are 8.898. In Ukraine universal access to health facilities are hindered because of limited official aid and excess reliance on foreign or private finance. Expensive private practices and minor backward public facilities do not provide the best and equal means of medical insurance. Ukraine faces major issues regarding health, diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure and HIV are common which are aided by the habits of alcohol drinking and smoking of the Ukrainian people. The total expenditures on health as % of GDP in Ukraine are 7.257 (Wood 1988; Kakwani 1995). Excessive inequality brings injustice along with the harmful effects of unbalanced economic growth, disastrous health outcomes, social cohesion, and increased crime rate. The level of disparity i.e. difference between the rich and the poor or unfair distribution of income amongst the citizens of a nation, in both the countries is at a very high level and increasing day by day. Brazil is famous for the income inequality, and the problems arising from it, amongst its citizens (Wood, 1988). Despite its development, Brazil has to deal with this issue of inequality and although their reforms have decreased this problem, it still holds a significant position in its constitution. Deteriorating public transfers, high wage differences, rural area problems, illiteracy rate, family business people in competition with commercial producers etc.; these all issues combined with numerous other factors contribute to the increasing disparity. Ukraine is also in the list of countries that are facing inequality and are doomed to disaster and crisis situation in the near future (Kakwani, 1995). Despite Ukraine’s efforts the social inequality has doubled instead of decreasing in the country and no positive predictions are being made now either. Johnson et al (1998), Lacko (1999) and Schneider (2005) predicted the Ukraine’s informal sector to be 16%, 54% and 53-54% respectively. Imperfect political system i.e. wrong decisions, misleading constitutions; corrupt elites i.e. personal benefits, greed, obsession etc. along with genetic factors– family backgrounds - and historical factors – Soviet influence, mentality - have led to this huge problem. Due to social disparity in both countries, poverty has also increased to new levels in the past decades. Poverty is the lack of basic needs and requirements of a human being such as food, water, shelter, education, medical facilities, etc. Brazilians have worked hard to overcome poverty in their country however their efforts have been fruitless (Eliseu Costa Romao, 1982). Undoubtedly their reforms did affect the country in a positive way however the problem has still remained significant despite their laborious efforts. The huge difference in the incomes of poor and rich are very substantial making it almost impossible to ignore. The rural areas’ backwardness regarding health, education, infrastructure facilities, technological advances, skill training which leads to less employment opportunities play a major role in increasing poverty and inequality. The tax system of Brazil burdened the poor and it worked on the principle of ‘richer getting richer, poorer getting poorer’. Figuratively the poverty in Brazil is the rich one per cent – less than 2 million people – have 13 per cent of all household income is similar to that of the poor 50 per cent - about 80 million Brazilians. This disparity causes poverty that is not consistent with the economy of Brazil. The initial conditions after independence, external devastation, failing initiatives, materialistic growth and heavy aid are the factors which have led to poverty in Ukraine (Kakwani, 1995). Slow structural reforms played a major role in leading to this demographic crisis in the nation. Economy of Ukraine is dependent on farming however still most poor people belong to rural areas. Rural areas do not have access to social services like health, education, security, hygienic, sanitation facilities etc. Medically poor people are more vulnerable to diseases because they have greater chances of infection along with less resources, awareness and income. The causes of poverty in Ukraine are unreliable constitutions and governments, low income, lack of funds and aid, unemployment etc. Figuratively 40% of the people are estimated to be living below the poverty line - income level below which it is impossible to satisfy basic needs - in Ukraine (Kakwani 1995). Education is a basic need of every human being that walks on this earth as education has taken us on the path of success, technological advances etc. that have provided us with new hopes and accomplishments along with awareness of numerous new discoveries and unknown mystic possibilities. Education has taken man from a superstitious obsessed person to being a factual refined human. Both countries realize the importance of education in their future developments and thus they have formed various policies according to their resources, in order to promote education and literacy rate in their countries. The low level of education leads to income inequality in a nation by decreasing social flexibility. This provides limitation to the poor class, decreasing their opportunities of narrowing the income differences. Brazil’s illiteracy rate is of 90.4% however the rest of the population is still illiterate and bringing into consideration the large population of Brazil, 13 million people are still illiterate (Haussman, 1978). According to the Ukrainian constitution, secondary education in Ukraine is free of cost however the cost of higher education is scholarship or merit dependent (Kolasky, 1968). The Soviet Unions influence has maintained the literacy rate at 99.4% in Ukraine. Both nations are undoubtedly focusing a lot on education and giving it its due importance. Welfare of a nation constitutes of a factors that maintains a balance of income within the labour class, assimilating people within the system and acting as a social appeaser however it should also inspire people to be independent. The welfare system and conditions of Brazil strengthen the country by providing the people with basic needs and fulfilling their requirements while trying to reduce their economic, financial and political problems (Erickson, 1975). Brazil works to strengthen its society by assisting the poor and the working class and to decrease the huge differences between the rich and the poor. Revelation by media strengthens the awareness amongst Brazilians which is showed by the Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index. Ukraine’s government issued reforms to strengthen the economy of the country. The social well fare system of Ukraine is designed in such a way so as to support the poor, decrease disparity, increase income and stabilize the economic, financial and political structure of the nation (Mimbs, 2005). Ukraine has been blessed with great resources, highly fertile land and a cultural background however due to some drawbacks like failing assets, inequality etc. the nation couldn’t withstand the external and internal problems completely thus they had an adverse effect on the structure of Ukraine’s government. However the nation was able to survive against all odds even though it still has a long way to go to reach a successful, developed, stable nation. Both the nations need to maintain their strength in their specific fields in order to gain success. The weaknesses of a nation comprises of those factors which cause a downfall in a nation’s political structure along with its economy, military etc. The flaws in the social well fare system(World bank, 2001) of Brazil consist of citizens relying too much on the government, unemployment etc. incapable in reducing poverty, not efficient, competition, and slow growth regarding educational achievement, reduced wages, weak plans for public expenditure, tax reforms etc. The system of Brazil is somewhat restricted and military of Brazil played a significant role in its set back as they focused on defence and materialistic development rather than on the social reforms (Hunter,1996). In spite of their efforts the Brazilians are facing increasing gaps in between the rich and poor classes. Although the law and reforms were formed but their implementation was not carried out completely, only partial implementation was done. Personal interests, benefits and advantages by politicians also led a nation towards its own destruction. Corruption in Brazil cost the country almost $41 billion a year making this problem a significant hindrance in the global trade market as this exposed the Brazilians as corrupt hence destroying their reputation (Power, 2011). Ukraine’s well fare system also had its own specific flaws that comprised of unstable, unpredictable and illegal environment; less governance and weak public administration, trade sanctions, corruption, feeble financial structure, political risk and threat, deteriorating reputation, irrational or no investment incentives etc.(Mimbs, 2005). The weaknesses of both countries are according to their national structures and both of them need to work hard in order to overcome their flaws. Racism is the mentality of human beings when some people regard themselves as superior to others due to their facial colours, religions, tribes, family backgrounds or money. Ethnicity is the mentality when people consider themselves superior due to their cultures and traditions. Both these mentalities are based on backward thinking as nobody chooses the place, position, culture, religion or colour to be born in (Sheriff, 2001) In Brazil the social differences i.e. of income or money, rich and poor; are more prominent as compared to other ‘isms’. However racism, classism is still found in it where the appearance is prioritized over the ancestry. The major racial groups are the white and the black based on their colours (Twine, 1998). The brown coloured groups are broader in Brazil as compared to any other group. Ancestor based racialism is found in Brazil’s north mostly. The category of Black group is found to be in majority on the eastern coast of Brazil. However, these figures changed when the government of Brazil opened the country to migrants from different nations and cultures like the Portuguese, Italian, Spaniard, German, Jewish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese etc. Religious difference in Brazil ranges from Catholicism 73.57%, 15.41% Protestantism, 1.33% Kardecist Spiritism, 1.22% other Christian denominations, 0.31% Afro-Brazilian religions, 0.13% Buddhism, 0.05% Judaism, 0.02% Islam, 0.01% Amerindian religions, 0.59% other religions while 7.35% have no religion at all. Racism is not very significant in Ukraine as it is not a vastly multi-cultural nation although some condemnable incidences have occurred whose sole reason seems to be due to racism. However with the migration, following independence, led to crucial differences in religion and culture which played a major role in enhancing racism due to religion. The majority of people in Ukraine don’t have any religion however the main religion in Ukraine is Orthodox Christianity that is further divided into three classes i.e. the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Patriarch of Moscow, and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The second famous religion in Ukraine is Eastern Rite Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church like the Eastern Orthodoxy however it accepts Pope as head of the Church. Then there are Latin Rite Catholic communities which makes 2.19 percent of the population. Protestant Christians are also of 2.19 percent of the population. The Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine is the biggest group. The second largest beingthe followers of Evangelical faith. Other religions found in Ukraine are Calvinists, Jehovahs Witnesses, Lutherans, Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Muslim communities are also at large in their sectors in Ukraine whereas the Jews are present in mere minority. The non-religious groups in Ukraine are 62.5% of the population. (Twine 1998; Pardo et al 2010). The national language of Brazil is Portuguese (Pardo; et al 2010) which is the common and majority spoken language also being used in newspapers, radio, television etc. The Brazilian sign language, basically for the deaf and dumb, is known and found to be used by many even today. Due to numerous migrations some changes have occurred in the Portuguese language as it is mixed with different cultures and societies however the basic structure still remains the same. Being the sole Portuguese speaking country their language gives the Brazilians a specific identity and they stand out as unusual. Due to strong colonial ties the cultures and traditions of Brazil are vastly mixed with those of Portugal. The national language of Ukraine is Ukrainian. Russian is also very common due to its past ties. 67.5 percent of the population use Ukrainian and 29.6 percent speak Russian. Russian is considered to be the second language. According to law any language spoken by people above 10% in an area was declared as the official language hence Russian became the official second language (Pardo et al 2010). The culture of Brazil (Vincent, 2003) is heavily influenced by Italy, Germany and other European countries along with Japanese and Arab immigrants. The Amerindians and Africans played a major role in influencing Brazilian music, cuisine etc. In contrast, Ukraine’s culture was heavily influenced by its east, west neighbours and the religion Christianity (Helbig, 2009). Communism has obviously left a strong impact on Ukraine and the Soviet culture and mentality is strongly indented in its nation. In conclusion there are humungous differences between the Latin American countries and Post-communist societies generally as well as in between Brazil and Ukraine. The two nations have only a few similarities but numerous differences. However both the countries need many new reforms and improvements in order to reach the peak of success and to overcome their flaws and weaknesses. References: DEAR, I., & FOOT, M. R. D. (1995). The Oxford companion to World War II. Oxford, Oxford University Press. KAKWANI, N. (1995). Income inequality, welfare, and poverty: an illustration using Ukrainian data. [Washington, D.C.], World Bank, Policy Research Dept., Transitional Econ. Div. JOHNSON, S., KAUFMANN, D., & ZOIDO-LOBATÓN, P. (1999). Corruption, public finances and the unofficial economy. Washington, DC, World Bank, World Bank Institute, Governance, Regulation, and Finance. LACKÓ, M. (1999). 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(2009).Culture and customs of Ukraine.Westport, Conn, Greenwood Press.http://site.ebrary.com/id/10354205. VINCENT, J. S. (2003). Culture and customs of Brazil.Westport, Conn, Greenwood Press.http://dailylife.greenwood.com/dle.aspx?k=4&bc=DBWC3333&x=GR0495&p=GR0495-14. SHERIFF, R. E. (2001). Dreaming equality color, race, and racism in urban Brazil.New Brunswick, N.J., Rutgers University Press.http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=91059. TWINE, F. W. (1998). Racism in a racial democracy the maintenance of white supremacy in Brazil.New Brunswick, N.J., Rutgers University Press. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=17719. Read More