INTERNATIONAL ACTORS AND SOCIAL-POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - GLOBALISM AND THE NEW FEUDALISM

This article outlines the current development of aspects of social pol icy in Bosnia-Herzegovina, paying particular attention to the roles of diverse international actors. Bosnia-Herzegovina is seen as an exampl e of a 'new feudalist' social formation in which the common citizenshi p model of 'normal' welfare regimes does not apply as a result of (a) separatist ethnicized claims and loyalties and (b) the fragmentation a nd multiplication of political authority. The redevelopment of social welfare structures is hampered by the competing and inconsistent visio ns and activities of ethnicized, local, national, international and su pranational institutions. Dilemmas for supranational agencies such as the World Bank and UN agencies involved in policy advice are, therefor e, of a different order to those found in other post-socialist states in the region. In addition, the large presence of International NGOs h as not supported the building of a sustainable public policy for the s ocial protection of the population. Support for local NGO development and for 'civil society' has also had unforeseen negative consequences. Through relating the roles and activities of diverse agencies to vari ous programmes of social assistance, health care, and social care, the article argues that a policy vacuum, in part a product of the competi tion and disarticulation between supranational, national governmental, and non-governmental organizations, actually reinforces 'new feudalis t' trends. An alternative conception of social policy as integrative s ocial development is outlined.