| Abstract [eng] |
Upon restoration of the independence Lithuania as well as many post–communist states turned towards and followed the path of the democratic capitalist western states. The transitory period of the change from the totalitarianism to democracy was marked by the striking structural changes in the society and the state. The post–communistic transformations that took place in the second period of Independent Lithuania embraced three main spheres: political, economical and social. The standing out complex social–economical changes that took place in Šiauliai in 1989–1999 are analysed in the paper. The changes were revealed with the help of the wider analysis of the social–economical transformations in Šiauliai City, in Lithuania and the whole post–communist region. At the time of the post–communistic transformations much attention was devoted to the implementation of the abrupt economic reforms. The main aim of the reforms was to move from the planned administrative command economy to the capitalist market economy. From the whole scope of the economic reforms the privatization stood out. It was meant for the transfer of the state assets into the private hands and formation of the private business sector. The fact was confirmed by the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Laws adopted in 1990–1996 in Lithuania. Our analysis revealed the importance of the social and economical questions in the legislation that was being created in the Republic. The main economical changes in Šiauliai were closely related to the fall of the large–scale City industry and development of the private business sector. The involvement of the residents into the process revealed their ability to adapt to the changing market conditions and to take upon themselves the personal responsibility. Despite the fact, the majority of the residents faced difficulties while integrating into the new economic system and therefore, the social status of the City became complicated. In the context of the economical changes the decline of the industry – long lived dominating branch of the City economy – was especially characteristic to Šiauliai. The City experienced this phenomenon more painfully than other cities in Lithuania. The economical changes in the period analysed were closely related to the changes in the social sphere. The analysis of the post–communistic region and Šiauliai showed their main tendencies. The change from one political system to another determined the change in the social structure of the society followed by the changing demographic indicators, formation of the new layers in the society, showing up of the social problems, creation of the new social policy guidelines, changing attitudes and values of the residents. However, the social changes were not so abrupt and radical as compared to the economical transformation; therefore, they were harder to notice. From the whole social phenomena taking place most prominent was formation of the businessmen layer and decreased demographic activity of the residents. The unemployment became a massive phenomenon and the crime intensified. These social problems became the most important in the City at the end of the XX century. The constantly growing number of the socially disadvantaged persons called for the development of a new social welfare policy. |
