The demise of centrally planned regimes in Central and Eastern Europe triggered the introduction of regulatory and institutional solutions in health, - social care and education policies that varied broadly by the degree of marketization of these sectors. “State-enabled market economies”, such as Hungary, applied laissez-faire economic policies with rather generous welfare provisions. Despite large sums spent on welfare, quarter of a century after the systemic change socio-economic inequalities in Hungary have increased, especially in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis. Unequal socio-economic relationships have also increasingly taken the form of socio-spatial disparities that divided the country by a regional and settlement gradient. With a high concentration of low-skilled population and disadvantaged labour market processes, small settlements, particularly in the northeast and southwest parts of Hungary have experienced a reduction in the availability of medical and social service provisions.
Based on academic research studying the interplay between social cohesion and socio-economic development, this paper aims to map out institutional factors and coordination mechanisms that drive socio-spatial inequalities in the availability of early childhood care and paediatric care services. By focusing on unequal access to social and medical care for children, this paper contributes to the literature at the intersection of development studies and “the welfare state” that emphasize the importance of early psychosocial development in breaking the deprivation cycle and in enhancing children’s “capabilities” at a young age to participate in social and economic affairs, integrated into society as adults. The paper maps the role of geographical sites and social environment in the territorial dimension of ECEC and paediatric care services and defines the most vulnerable social groups which are affected by disadvantaged life conditions, poor health and no chance for early childhood- and health care services. The central puzzle the paper intends to explore is about the interaction between central state-led public policies and the “locality”; whether or not and to what extent local institutional mechanisms can encourage or hinder the early integration of disadvantaged children through the provision of ECEC and paediatric services. It also aims to analyse local actors’ capacities in interest representation to decrease socio-economic inequalities in their neighbourhoods through formal and informal institution-building in sectors focusing on children. The other question addressed by the paper is, whether or not and to what extent economic development influences local agents’ capacities to impact policies aiming at reducing socio-spatial disparities. With this focus, the paper intends to contribute to emerging analytical works on key factors of socio-economic progress in postsocialist societies.
