Could the dollar be in default?
The US has been able to run growing budget deficits by issuing more dollars as the reserve currency. If a polycentric world ends its indulgence, the shock to America could be great.
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.
European Parliament elections: new responses in dangerous times
The European Parliament elections could see the emergence of a large populist bloc thwarting progress for the next five years. A big mobilisation is needed to prevent that.
Time for a red shift from Germany’s ‘black zero’
For a decade there has been cross-party support in Germany for the balanced-budget rule. But in the first of a series of Social Europe columns on German economic debates, Peter Bofinger explains why the social democrats should abandon the ‘black zero’.
Where the ‘Piketty plan’ is mistaken
Stuart Holland argues that what Europe needs urgently is not new institutions, as recommended by Thomas Piketty and others, but a Green New Deal.
Financing the Green New Deal in Europe
Should investment in a New Deal for Europe come from taxation or borrowing? Only the latter makes economic and political sense, argues James K Galbraith.
The great tax debate—the world is turning
When intellectual and moral arguments align, the global climate can change quickly. That’s what’s happening with the US tax debate.
European citizens back unemployment reinsurance
An unemployment reinsurance scheme benefiting countries hit by asymmetric shocks attracts what to some will be surprising support across the EU.
Can Italy survive its self-inflicted wounds?
Italy’s populist government has been keen to blame Brussels for its fiscal-policy constraint. But its own choice of crowd-pleasing spending over public investment and reform should be scrutinised.
Addressing poverty and inequality in Europe
Official EU statistics mask the alarming extent of poverty and inequality in Europe. Despite slight recent easing, its dangerous scale threatens Europe’s social and political cohesion.
Beyond GDP
GDP figures are often in the public eye but they are insufficient measures for well-being. Economics Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz explains why we need to look beyond GDP.
Global Debt Is At Its Peak: Italy Stands Better Than We Think
In the second quarter of 2018 global debt reached a new peak, climbing to 260 trillion dollars ($260,000 billion). At the same time, the global
Why Inequality Matters
There was a time, not long ago, when most economists did not consider inequality in the distribution of income and wealth all that important. True,
Growing Eurozone Inequality And What To Do About It
Growing inequality between eurozone members is one of the least welcome legacies of the euro- and sovereign debt crisis. The idea that the less well-off
Migration Into Europe: A Long-Term Solution?
Why has migration become such a big problem? Many reasons can be adduced: the war in Syria, the integration of Eastern Europe, lack of new
Cum-Ex Scandal: Europe, Let’s Take Back Control
A gang of bankers and lawyers has plundered the treasuries of eleven European countries. The estimated damage from what is known until now: over 55
Upsetting The Apple Cart: Tax-Based Industrial Policies In Ireland And Europe
Ireland has been subject to a great deal of international criticism of its corporate tax regime. While Irish people might feel defensive about this, there