THE EVOLUTION OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEM OF SOUTHERN EUROPE DURING THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP OF GREECE, PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

The three decades, which started with the accession of Greece, Spain and Portugal to the European Union and are ending with the global financial crisis we have experienced during last few years, have brought about significant changes in the welfare system of Southern Europe. Its present form is a direct result of economic, social, as well as political changes which occurred there in the second half of the 20th century. They were determined by crucial events which re-defined the role of a modern state and its institutions, social solidarity and dependencies occurring in free market economy. This article aims to present the influence of changes related to the process of European Union integration and the membership of Greece, Spain and Portugal on the evolution of the socio-economic system functioning there, which is unique in Europe.