ABSTRACT
Unlike some economic policy changes, which may bring certain effects in the relatively distant future, social policy changes directly and quickly affect the majority of a country’s population. As a result, these governmental measures often lead to the rise of social protests and a decrease in the popularity of the reformers. One way to provide political support for such a policy reform is to include interest groups in a decision-making process. But this approach often leads to the adoption of moderate policy changes that provide social consensus but hardly solve real social problems. Yet another option for reformers is to push the proposed measures, despite the objections of interest and target groups. By choosing this way, a government should provide insulation for reformers to protect their policies from opposition of various kinds. Every government makes its own choice from among these options while considering all costs and benefits.
