Despite all the international attention, Afghan refugees are not welcome
Nobody really knows what prospects await Afghan refugees when countries have yet to see human rights as rights for all humans.
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.
Catalonia: a fraught dialogue begins
The leaders of the Spanish government and that in Catalonia have met across the table—but the gap between them remains large.
How democracy can win again
Democratic erosion in Hungary is symptomatic of structural problems afflicting most democracies, even threatening the future of civilisation.
Young people and planetary justice
Ultimately, resolving the collective-action dilemma of preserving a liveable planet will require a UN ‘constitution of the Earth’.
On the EU’s Belarus border, security and fundamental rights collide
Weronika Grzebalska argues that Lukashenka’s thrashing around in eastern Europe forces progressives to offer a positive alternative on security.
All together now: facing the global challenges of our time
Recent headlines make it seem an inauspicious moment for a progressive transatlantic political alliance—yet this couldn’t be more urgent.
Left-wing austerity during international crises—it’s the financial markets, stupid!
Left governments adopted more conservative fiscal policies than right governments in recent crises. They have dire electoral consequences.
The consequences of neoliberal capitalism in eastern Europe
Sheri Berman argues that post-communist left embrace of economic as well as political liberalism allowed populists to target the latter.
Progressive mayors in central and eastern Europe challenge the status quo
Major cities in central and eastern Europe have elected liberal mayors. But socially conservative attitudes are unlikely to shift at national level.
Turkey and the Istanbul convention—fighting to keep it alive
The Turkish president no doubt thinks his decision to de-ratify the Istanbul convention is irreversible. The main opposition party disagrees.
Stefan Löfven—welding progressives together and keeping the far right at bay
The Swedish social-democrat leader, shortly to step down, didn’t buckle under pressure despite a slender parliamentary hold.
How Big Tech money skews the European playing-field
Record spending by technology companies lobbying the EU represents a democratic problem.
Apocalypse or co-operation?
The perfect storm of Covid-19 and climate change, and resulting economic damage, will likely trigger much more social and political instability.
Move fast and break Big Tech’s power
‘Surveillance capitalism’ can only be regulated on at least a European scale—and the mood for change is growing.
Mission-driven localities
While exposing and exacerbating longstanding inequalities, the pandemic has given rise to a wealth of promising local initiatives.
In Poland, public funding is given to those threatening liberal democracy
Right-wing, conservative and nationalist magazines were the primary beneficiaries of funds recently allocated by the country’s Ministry of Culture.
Enhancing the political participation of women from under-represented groups
The author of a report to the Council of Europe elaborates how representation gaps can be closed so politics is refreshed and reflects wider society.