Curbing Tax Avoidance, Tax Evasion And Tax Havens
The aggressive tax avoidance by multinational corporations (MNCs) where they are now paying virtually no tax was highlighted recently by the takeover of “Irish” company
Politics
Analysis and debate on European and national politics, democracy, the rule of law, parties and elections, and Europe’s place in the world.
How To Welcome Refugees Properly
Most post-WWII conflicts are sparked and fuelled by geopolitics though many a European citizen has little knowledge about this. True, the influx of people from
Understanding The Evolution Of Work
In mid-December, the United Nations will launch the latest of its annual landmark Human Development Reports. This year’s report focuses on the nature of work:
The Battle For Britain
The Islamic State’s attack in Paris in November was the latest crisis to delay Britain’s bid to renegotiate its membership in the European Union, ahead
‘Welfare Tourism’ – An Unproven Case
Heated debates have been sparked in some of the EU’s key recipient countries on the alleged adverse effects of free movement of labour, including in
Europe’s Three Fault Lines
Ten or 20 years ago, the existential question facing the European Union was whether it still had a purpose in a globalized world. The question
Can COP 21 In Paris Prevent The Climate Catastrophe?
Today, the 21st UN Climate Change Summit (COP21) starts in Paris. All the way since the Rio Conference in 1992, the aim of these summits
Is Europe Doomed To Collapse?
I am on a two-week European tour at a time that could make one either very pessimistic or constructively optimistic about Europe’s prospects. First the
The Vicious Cycle Of Pitiless Violence
There has been carnage over the last few days in Beirut, Baghdad, Paris and Bamako and, of course, there have been numerous such attacks before
TTIP’s Regulatory Cooperation And The Politics Of ‘Learning’
Recently, the TTIP negotiations have entered a new a phase in spite of wide public criticisms. The European Commission (EC) has made a number of
The Paris Attack And Its Aftermath
President Hollande spoke of the need for constitutional changes to amend the processes of the state of emergency (which go back as far as the
One Person, One Car? The Digital Revolution’s Platform Economy
Before the ‘digital revolution’ things were relatively simple. A taxi equalled a car plus a driver. This driver could be self-employed or employed by a
The Euro And Schengen: Common Flaws And Common Solutions
What do the Euro and Schengen have in common? Both are projects that have the same flaw: they’re unfinished business. And therefore they risk falling
Digitization: New Work Concepts Are Revolutionizing The World Of Work
Novel phenomena like cloud working and crowd sourcing are gaining ground, signalling that digitization is revolutionizing society and economy. On the one hand, they seem
Defending Multiculturalism After The Paris Attacks
Visiting the UK, after eighteen months in Eastern Europe, I have been struck by the easy-going multiculturalism that is Britain. Whether in London, Bristol or
Understanding Democracy’s Achilles Heels
A new Dutch survey signals the need for moderate forces to reinvent themselves in order to halt growing dissatisfaction with the political and democratic process.