After 1989: the battle for democracy
The differing paths of the states which emerged after the fall of the wall show how liberty and the rule of law go hand in hand.
Politics
Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on political issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.
Unpacking supreme courts to restore checks and balances
Democracy is threatened by politicisation of constitutional courts. Unorthodox tactics are required to restore their role.
A new version of ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’ for the western Balkans
The decision of the European Council, at French behest, not to begin accession negotiations for North Macedonia and Albania will have region-wide reverberations.
Budapest’s new mayor and the redemocratisation of Hungary
Local elections in Hungary have placed a question-mark over the durability of the 'illiberal democracy' of Viktor Orbán.
The big Green New Deal and its little red social question
Why does environmental promise always fall short in practice? A new answer to the social question can bridge the gap.
Drinking the blood of Ukraine: east-west competition for a country in crisis
The bizarre recent phone conversation between the president of the US and his counterpart in Ukraine returned to the public mind a neglected country with a frozen conflict.
Collective bargaining must be rebuilt in Europe
Revivified collective bargaining would benefit workers but also society as a whole—and political support is needed.
UN treaty on business and human rights vital for economic and social justice
How can transnational corporations be held to account in a world of nation states? A binding UN treaty would be an important step.
‘One In, One Out’ is a danger to workers’ health and safety
The new European Commission’s ‘One In, One Out’ approach to ‘burdensome’ legislation would stymie progress towards safer, healthier workplaces.
Elections in Switzerland: left-green gains and challenges
The parliamentary elections in Switzerland deprived the right of its majority. Can the surging greens and the social democrats take advantage?
The Goulard case—a rap on the knuckles for Emmanuel Macron
The rejection by the European Parliament of Slyvie Goulard as French commissioner showed that ‘it’s France’ is not a sufficient excuse for special treatment.
Can Europe help the Balkans keep its young emigrants?
High emigration rates are doing massive damage to the prospects of the western Balkans—would a stronger EU perspective reverse this outflow?
Western Balkans need accession-talks signal from EU
Access for the states concerned, most immediately for North Macedonia and Albania, would be many years off—but the symbolism is important.
Is it time to ban political advertising on Facebook?
Karin Pettersson argues that ‘free speech’ is not a licence for politicians relying on rage to lie, and for such lies to be amplified by ‘social media’.
The limits of the nationalist left
The nationalist left offers one response to neoliberal globalisation. The wrong one.
Wellbeing: an economy that works for children?
A Child Guarantee can be a second launchpad for investing in children.
Time to act to leave no child behind
Children without or at risk of losing parental care represent a stain on Europe’s moral conscience.