A Franco-German Social Democrat Plan for Reviving the EU
They are a political odd couple, Emmanuel Macron and Sigmar Gabriel, yet they have together put out a radical proposal for reforming the EU/EZ that
Politics
Analysis and debate on European and national politics, democracy, the rule of law, parties and elections, and Europe’s place in the world.
Twelve Brussels Myths… And Why They Are Wrong
1. A more business friendly environment is needed. In reality, thanks to the manifold activities of the Barroso Commission and the “better regulation” agenda, the
Europe’s Last Act?
European Union leaders continue to play a game of brinkmanship with the Greek government. Greece has met its creditors’ demands far more than halfway. Yet
Europe’s Pointless Deficit Targets?
The fiscal rules of the European Union have undergone some much-needed improvements in recent years, but much more needs to be done. In addition to
A Speech Of Hope For Greece
On September 6, 1946 US Secretary of State James F. Byrnes traveled to Stuttgart to deliver his historic “Speech of Hope.” Byrnes’ address marked America’s
Freedom Of Association And The Right To Strike
It is a fact that technological innovations and changes in the organization of work have caused alterations in the labour market, making certain international labour
Europe’s Refugee Amnesia
After World War I, when millions of European civilians were made refugees, forced out of their homelands by enemy occupation or deportation, an international regime
Why A March To The Centre Is Not The Path To Victory
The most frequent critique of first past the post (FPTP) is that by favouring the creation of stable majorities it generates unfair and unrepresentative results.
Europe And Anti-Europe
Since 2008, when the global financial crisis erupted, the European Union has been confronted by a succession of crises: the escalating Greek crisis; Russian revanchism
Progressive Politics: Permanent Austerity Stranglehold?
Europe’s centre-left, progressive politics is in crisis, maybe in its most existential crisis since the foundation of the Social Democratic movement in the late 19th
Europe On The Edge Of A Democratic Cliff
Since the beginning of 2015, two opposed events (by virtue of their underlying rationales and their protagonists) have dominated the news in Europe: the ECB’s
The Culture Of Contentment
Arguably there has to be a ‘tipping point’ – a point beyond which social and economic crises bring forth political and social movements. The situation
Austerity Is The Only Deal-Breaker
A common fallacy pervades coverage by the world’s media of the negotiations between the Greek government and its creditors. The fallacy, exemplified in a recent
Ten Questions For The British Labour Party
The UK general election was tumultuous and the results, particularly for Labour and the Liberal Democrats, disastrous. Of course, the position of Labour is better
We Need A Tobin Tax To Help Refugees
The tragedy of deaths at sea by refugees from the Middle East wars needs to be addressed resolutely. Europe cannot confront the problem with hesitant
An EU Perspective On Wage Inequality
In the years before the financial crisis of 2008, there was a significant reduction in overall EU wage inequality, driven by economic convergence between rich