Does European solidarity extend to the western Balkans?
The coronavirus crisis has not only highlighted the north-south faultline in the EU—it also put relations with western-Balkan aspirants under strain.
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.
Basic income: Finland’s final verdict
The coronavirus crisis has renewed interest in the notion of a universal basic income. The full report of a two-year Finnish experiment has just appeared.
Covid-19 does not discriminate—nor should we
A paradigm shift in national and EU Roma strategies is more urgent than ever.
The Covid-19 crisis is exacerbating gender inequalities—but who cares?
The gender dimension of the coronavirus crisis is obvious when seen through a lens of gender inequality. Which leaves it invisible to many.
Social trust and government responses to Covid-19
How governments have addressed the pandemic has reflected different levels of social trust—which will have consequences for its aftermath.
Unions’ responses to the Covid-19 crisis in Europe
On International Workers’ Day, it is important to recall the crucial role played by unions in protecting the workforce, especially at times of crisis.
The four worlds of the social-ecological state
The coronavirus crisis highlights the need to update the European welfare state to a social-ecological state, able to socialise 21st-century ecological risks.
It’s a virus, and this isn’t a war
The coronavirus crisis is a social challenge, Karin Pettersson writes, which the formerly secure are now being reminded is hitting the poor hardest.
The nascent paradigm shift in the EU
Emergency action to enhance healthcare and unemployment insurance might signal a paradigm shift for the union from market integration to providing public goods.
In-work poverty in times of pandemic
The coronavirus crisis is exacerbating in-work poverty in the EU—and a powerful raft of labour-market and welfare measures is needed for an adequate response.
Into a new era of work
Artificial intelligence will drastically transform the economy and the workplace. Which skills will be required and is training the all-encompassing solution?
Out of the tragedy of coronavirus may come hope of a more just society
The lessons of necessity and solidarity learned during the pandemic must inform a transition to a just society within ecological limits in its aftermath.
How Law and Justice (mis)used the pandemic to dismantle social dialogue in Poland
With the independence of Poland’s judiciary already compromised, the autonomy of social partnership has become the latest target of the ruling populists.
China’s political system and the coronavirus
Branko Milanovic explores how the pandemic has highlighted China’s international responsibility and how such global ‘externalities’ are to be rendered accountable.
Solidaristic, social and sensible—reflections on progressivism for today and when tomorrow comes
The future of social democracy has been a perennial debate but the coronavirus crisis has provided a shock: progressive politics will not be the same again.
Artificial intelligence: made by men for men?
AI might seem neutral and technical but it poses a differential challenge to female jobs and can be imbued with insidious gender biases.
Building resistance: a rights-based, holistic approach against Covid-19
Human rights, including social and economic rights, may seem to some a luxury during a crisis. But that is when they are needed most.