Inequality in Europe—wider than it looks
Most discussion of inequality in Europe is confined to individual member states. Aggregating incomes across the EU, however, presents a sobering picture.
Economy
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 economic issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.
The International Monetary Fund leadership is not a bargaining counter
Europe must get beyond seeing the head of the IMF as part of the spoils from Bretton Woods.
The exploitation time bomb
Worsening economic inequality in recent years is largely the result of policy choices that reflect the political influence and lobbying power of the rich.
The challenge ahead: a safer and more dynamic Europe
In the latest in our ‘Europe2025’ series, Gustav Horn focuses on macroeconomic institutional reforms for financial stability and a programme of investment to engender vital public goods.
Libra: Facebook’s new currency fails the Hayek test
Libra means ‘balance’ in Latin. But Peter Bofinger argues that Facebook’s proposed cryptocurrency would be highly risky for holders and a giant enrichment programme for the company.
Beyond the EU budget zero-sum game
Discussion of the EU budget brings strife between supposed net contributors and beneficiaries. Yet the picture is more complex and Europe-wide taxation offers a way out.
Redefining austerity: a lesson from Greece
What can an elected left-wing European government do when faced with imposed austerity? Redefining austerity can bring a turnaround.
Structural crisis and robotisation require more Europe, less austerity
The Great Recession, as with the Great Depression, is proving to be a structural crisis, which only a Euro-Keynesian programme of public investment can tackle.
Modern monetary theory: a simple macroeconomic model
Why has modern monetary theory come out of the academy? Because it helps model the current economic predicament and how to get out of it.
Sovereign spreads and the frailty of the eurozone
The failure to provide for risk-sharing in the eurozone architecture has sustained chronic mistrust, reflected in sovereign spreads.
Industrial policy: is there a paradigm shift in Germany and what does this imply for Europe?
A paper from the German economy minister on a national industrial policy has gone down like a lead balloon. Peter Bofinger argues it needs to be reflated—and coloured green—at a European level.
Fighting for a Europe of tax justice
An outgoing green MEP reflects on a decade of working for tax justice in the European Parliament and the challenges for her successors.
To the postcapitalist city … via Amsterdam circa 1619
What makes the 21st century city the harbinger of a postcapitalist world is that for the first time in modern history the network can transcend the market.
The good life after work
To manage the latest wave of automation, we must have ends that are more compelling than merely wanting more products and services.
Unequal Europe—collating the data
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a website collating the sources of data on inequality across the European Union and exploring evidence-based policy prescriptions? Now there is.
Inequality: from redistribution to predistribution and beyond?
Soaring income inequality inevitably raises discussion of more progressive taxation. But a more fundamental focus on the ownership of capital is needed.