Europe failing its solidarity test
By blocking Covid-19 vaccine patent waivers, the EU is damaging its reputation and holding the world back.
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.
Hard Labour
Labour’s electoral debacle, Paul Mason writes, epitomises European social democracy’s coalition-building challenge. It just doesn’t see it that way.
Next steps for a people’s vaccine
Ending the pandemic requires not only an intellectual-property rights waiver but scaling up knowledge transfer and public production of vaccine supplies.
Decentralising and democratising while reforming European economic governance
The Conference on the Future of Europe needs to address how EU governance can be refitted to end the crisis of legitimacy.
Covid-19 in India—profits before people
Jayati Ghosh explains why more than a third of a million Covid-19 cases are being reported in India daily—and what that says about our world.
Erdoğan is feeling the heat
Growing economic pains and a more united opposition threaten the Turkish president's grip. His regime resorts to ever more repression.
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.
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.
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.
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.