THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WELFARE STATE: INTERSECTORAL COOPERATION AS A STRATEGIC RESOURCE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of the welfare state concept and analyzes the changing roles of the state, business, and civil society in addressing contemporary social challenges. Particular attention is paid to the institutional mechanisms that facilitate intersectoral cooperation, including public-private partnerships, social contracting, social entrepreneurship, ESG-oriented practices, public consultations, and collaborative governance arrangements.

The findings indicate that the effectiveness of the contemporary welfare state depends not on the expansion of state intervention, but on the quality of intersectoral cooperation aimed at creating public value and addressing complex social challenges. Based on the analysis, a concentric model of intersectoral cooperation is proposed, conceptualizing cooperation as a strategic resource for welfare state development and explaining the relationship between institutional cooperation mechanisms and social development outcomes