Northern Ireland—the unhappy ending Europe’s story must avoid
Europe has always had its anti-enlightenment side. Northern Ireland graphically presents its extreme manifestation.
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.
Nineteen Burmese protesters sentenced to death—Europe get off your sofa!
The military in Myanmar is fully aware of Europe’s response to the killing spree against democracy protesters. It is not impressed.
The European Union and global governance
The EU’s strategic ambition must not be just to carve out a niche for itself among the major powers but to reshape global governance.
Europe’s democratic renewal needs a feminist slant
The Conference on the Future of Europe shouldn't degenerate into political theatre. Politicians need to listen and give a voice to citizens.
Dealing with the right-wing populist challenge
Sheri Berman explores what the Swedish case reveals about strategies to adopt towards right-wing populist parties.
Democracy in Iceland
Iceland enjoys the general perception of Nordic countries as well-governed democracies. Its oligarchs would prefer that that remain so.
Why the protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland matters
The protocol is a small part of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement but it has enormous implications for both parties. It is imperative they tread with care.
A newer Labour?
The British Labour Party has had a tortuous time over the last decade. But there are hints of openness towards new solutions to its problems.
Interview with Alexander Kwaśniewski
Ania Skrzypek spoke to the former Polish president about the crisis in Belarus and the response of the European Union.
Race against time
With the resurgence of racism and discrimination across Europe, combating it requires urgent action, not just noble words.
Germany’s super-election year is a wild card
With the federal government now perceived as mishandling the pandemic and corruption tainting the CDU, the autumn Bundestag election is one to watch.
Hungary’s Covid-19 wars
For Viktor Orbán, the pandemic has offered an opportunity to undermine the European Union and curry favour with Hungary’s authoritarian allies.
Lost an empire, not found a role
Paul Mason finds in the UK’s foreign and defence review a wilful refusal of its natural European engagement.
Inequalities and democratic corrosion
The right question to ask is not if inequality threatens democracy but which inequalities matter.
The four ‘I’s of a new socio-ecological contract
A ‘socio-ecological contract’ has emerged as a way to conceive the transitions needed to steer out of today’s crises to safer harbour. What does it entail?
Human-rights due diligence and Myanmar
Myanmar is a test case for engaged global companies’ commitments to due diligence. They must act to ensure suppression does not prevail.
Can Navalny take down Putin?
Today’s protest movement has a charismatic and sympathetic leader but Putin has spent the last decade consolidating a police state.