The UK’s Renegotiation: Keeping Up Appearances
How far does the UK’s draft renegotiation proposal go in reforming the country’s EU membership? Paul De Grauwe writes that the deal is largely an exercise in
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.
Five Reasons Why A Basic Income Won’t Solve Technological Unemployment
There has been a buzz recently about the idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) and why it could be a solution to technological unemployment.
Why Austerity And Structural Reforms Have Had Little To Do With Ireland’s Economic Recovery
Ireland was one of the countries hardest hit by the financial crisis, however it has emerged with a strong recovery and now boasts the fastest
The Case For Universal Support For European Families
Austerity measures introduced during the crisis have disproportionately concerned cuts in the measures that are most vital for reducing child poverty: cash and tax benefits,
The Real Cost Of Negative Integration In Europe
The death of 129 people in the Paris terrorist attacks of November 2015 triggered a discreet mea culpa from the 28 European Ministers of Justice
The Problem With ‘Illiberal Democracy’
Poland’s turn toward authoritarian rule has set off alarm bells across the European Union and within NATO. Since coming to power in October, Jarosław Kaczyński’s
A Tale Of Two Europes: East And West
Although West European policy makers have been slow to recognise the fact, the Iron Curtain was never the only or necessarily the most important feature
Economists On The Refugee Path
Today’s global refugee crisis recalls the period immediately after World War II. By one contemporary estimate, there were more than 40 million refugees in Europe alone.
Pulling Europe Back From The Brink
In 2007, the United States caught a serious – and highly contagious – economic cold. Eight years later, it is finally making a convincing recovery
Understanding The Resistible Rise Of Central European Authoritarianism
Viktor Orbán has posed critical challenges to concepts of human rights and democracy in Europe since his election in 2010. But there is every sign
The Polish Threat To Europe
Poland has now emerged as the latest European battleground in a contest between two models of democracy – liberal and illiberal. The overwhelming election victory
Why Cameron’s Brexit Referendum Is A Fight To Save His Party And His Country
The European question is the grim reaper of British politics – dividing parties, debilitating governments, and destroying careers. But never before have the stakes surrounding
2016: Europe’s Year Of Living On The Edge
This new year of 2016 has begun badly. ISIS attacks in Istanbul and Jakarta. Stock market jitters. Violence, including rape, upon women in Germany, Sweden
What Are The Prospects For Poland’s Opposition?
Civic Platform, the former ruling party in Poland, suffered a clear defeat in the country’s parliamentary elections in October. However, as Aleks Szczerbiak writes, the polarisation of politics
How The Refugee Crisis Splits The European Social Democrats Between West And East
The refugee crisis has exposed cracks in the EU’s political foundations. Failure to agree over how to implement refugee quotas and inability to coordinate humanitarian
What Economic Policy For The Euro Area?
Social and political tensions in Europe are reaching new heights. Fear of migrants fuels nationalist sentiments and religious animosities are becoming serious. Many people are
Expect UK’s EU Referendum In June Or July This Year – Here’s Why …
The prospect of a summer referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union is drawing closer. At least this is the timetable David Cameron hinted