A New Start For Greece, An Opportunity For Germany
If misperceptions solidify, they become a reality. This seems to be the biggest political risk of the euro crisis. As a German living abroad I
Politics
Analysis and debate on European and national politics, democracy, the rule of law, parties and elections, and Europe’s place in the world.
Why Podemos Poses A Major Threat To The Spanish Political Establishment
Following Syriza’s victory in the Greek elections on 25 January, a number of commentators have turned their attention toward Spain, where the left-wing Podemos, which
Why Juncker’s Investment Plan Is A Good Try But Not Enough
Jean-Claude Juncker received approval for his long-awaited investment plan at the European Council meeting on 18 December 2014, giving more details and clarifying some of
Europe’s Jihadi Generation
He came from Algeria seeking a better life, anticipating an escape from poverty, oppression, and hopelessness. In Paris, he found a low-skill job and had
The Cost Of Inequality In Women’s Work
It’s that Davos time of the year, when a bunch of powerful men gather in a luxurious Swiss ski resort to re-assure the 99% that
Policy Priorities For A Social Europe
In 2012, the Four Presidents Report mentioned a European unemployment insurance as a possible mechanism to achieve greater fiscal stability at the EU-level. What do
The Real Social Challenge Is Kickstarting Growth
It is impossible to meaningfully address Europe’s social challenges for the present, medium and longer term without addressing the central challenge of economic growth. We
Is Financial Reform An Illusion?
The objectives of the planned structural reform of EU banking are ambitious: to prevent systemic risk, avoid misallocation of resources, and facilitate an orderly resolution
From Welfare State To Innovation State
A specter is haunting the world economy – the specter of job-killing technology. How this challenge is met will determine the fate of the world’s
What Will Populism Do To Europe?
There has been much wishful thinking in Europe that populism will vanish once growth rates pick up. Those who have believed in this unlikely miracle
Will Technology Destroy Jobs?
Technology innovators and CEOs seem positively giddy nowadays about what the future will bring. New manufacturing technologies have generated feverish excitement about what some see
The Charlie Hebdo Attack And What It Reveals About Society
You went through the tragedies of the 20th century – two wars, Shoah, Stalinism. What’s the specificity of the islamic extremist threat we’re facing today,
Why The EU Should Focus On Realistic Social Policy Projects
Inequality is back at the centre of the public discourse. Is this good or bad news for the European Union? Most contributions to this Social
The Issue Is Not Greece: It’s Europe
At long last, the United States is showing signs of recovery from the crisis that erupted at the end of President George W. Bush’s administration,
Stockholm Syndrome Social Democracy
The recent social democratic playbook is depressingly familiar: first, campaign on a demand stimulus and/or an end to austerity. Second, upon winning (usually by the
Greek Elections, Democracy, Political Trilemma, and all that
Two-and-a-half years ago I wrote a short piece titled “The End of the World as We Know It” which began like this: Consider the following