Releasing Europe’s democratic genie
The Conference on the Future of Europe might sow the seeds of a genuine European political space.
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.
Beyond waving rainbow flags
Using the rainbow flag to symbolise an east-west divide in Europe risks playing into the hands of authoritarian leaders.
The Catalan pardons: what do they mean?
Last week the Spanish premier, Pedro Sánchez, pardoned the nine Catalan political prisoners—to very mixed reactions.
The G7’s role in the world
Jayati Ghosh unpicks the G7 summit in England and finds an anachronistic coalition failing to meet global responsibilities.
As Polish women flock towards volunteer defence, the left remains inept
Weronika Grzebalska begins a new Social Europe column by exploring how the liberal left in Poland has abdicated to the populists the resonant theme of women and defence.
EU migration and asylum pact abandons compassion and human rights
Faced with escalating deaths in the Mediterranean, official Europe needs to relocate its moral conscience.
What is NATO for?
Since the end of the cold war, NATO has struggled to find a role. It can find it in a focus on human security.
Defending democratic values
The cement for a new transatlantic relationship should be a common commitment to democracy in a world of rising authoritarian challenges.
Democracy, activism and the rule of law—key weapons against fascism
Fascism is not just sepia images of yesteryear but a contemporary threat. A liberal-left alliance is needed to counter it.
Strategies for a world without right-wing populism and nationalism
The radical right has been setting the agenda in terms of identity and security. Social democrats need to recapture it and redefine Europe.
Threats to American democracy
Sheri Berman warns that while the threats may seem incremental they pose a real danger—which Europeans should note.
Taxing global rent-seeking to spur a just recovery
The world must engage with Joe Biden’s proposal for a minimum corporate-tax rate.
Should governments worry about general strikes?
Unions can weaken public support for governments they oppose through general strikes—but not if the government is of the right.
Belarus: toughness towards the regime, solidarity with the people
Alongside working to confront Lukashenka, the EU should offer respite to those threatened by his dictatorship.
Double standards on Palestine will come back to haunt the EU
The EU needs to engage in a paradigm shift on the Israel-Palestine conflict if it is not to be left behind by events.
Catalonia: time for a gesture?
Spain’s Supreme Court has put Pedro Sánchez between a rock and a hard place.
Recognising people on the move
Europe cannot continue to treat those who arrive on its margins—as in Ceuta—as mere flotsam and jetsam to be repelled.