The problem with existing systems of income support is not their conditionality but their presumption that only market participation is a legitimate contribution.
Columns & Interviews
UBI and the pandemic: all or nothing changed?
The economic impact of the coronavirus crisis has brought renewed attention to universal basic income but its politics remain challenging.
For a new European ‘normality’
Our way of life as we knew it won’t return, but will the ‘new normality’ herald a common European future?
Covid-19: who will protect gig workers, if not platforms?
Gig workers already bore most of the risk associated with their work. And their platforms haven’t been keen to mitigate it during the crisis.
Covid-19 and migrant workers’ social rights
The short- and long-term effects of the pandemic on immigrant workers depend on policies which vary substantially across western-European countries.
Keeping the promise of eurozone convergence
Economic theory explains why a single European currency didn’t bring geographical convergence—but only political action can realise that.
The big failure of small government
It is no coincidence that countries with mission-driven governments have fared better in the Covid-19 crisis than those beholden to the cult of efficiency.
A solidaristic European strategy for public health
After years of ‘public bad, private good’ ideology in healthcare, the shock of the coronavirus calls for a post-crisis European strategy to advance public health.
Time to expose the reality of ‘debt market discipline’
As another sovereign-debt crisis looms, Adam Tooze warns against repeating the mistake of delegating to anonymised ‘markets’ accountable political choices.
History repeating itself? The impact of the Covid-19 crisis on youth
Young people are anxious about the effects of the crisis yet also more trusting in the European Union—an asset which should not be squandered.
Innovation, dissemination, investments: a new productivity strategy for Europe
Crisis measures to promote recovery in Europe must begin to address its underlying productivity challenge.
Machine learning should increase human possibilities
Sociologist Elena Esposito suggests shifting the focus of artificial intelligence to machines as communication partners. Interview by Florian Butollo.
Digital welfare states: boundaries and opportunities
A Dutch court case has set out a framework within which the emergent digital welfare state can respect the right to privacy.
Blogs
The European Parliament and gender equality—a continuing struggle
There has been progress in the numerical representation of women in the European Parliament. But that’s not enough to achieve gender equality.
The ‘frugal four’ should save the European project
Peter Bofinger argues that additional loans of inadequate amount do not add up to a rescue package which can save Europe from the coronavirus crisis.
Europe’s social safety nets were not ready for the corona shock
The coronavirus crisis has punched a hole in Europe’s safety nets. But they were already frayed and urgent repairs are needed.
Artificial intelligence: made by men for men?
AI might seem neutral and technical but it poses a differential challenge to female jobs and can be imbued with insidious gender biases.
EU-wide inequality is back to pre-crisis levels
After almost a decade, EU-wide inequality finally regained its previous low of 2009 due to relatively strong growth in the poorer member states between the Baltic and the Balkans.
