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.
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.
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.
Resilience in the corona crisis—strongest where workers enjoy collective power
It may not have been thought of as an antidote to the coronavirus but collective bargaining is protecting workers’ health and security against its ravages.
‘Corona bonds’ and Europe’s north-south divide
The Eurogroup’s decision to reject corona bonds will leave destabilising political scars.
Capitalism’s mirror stage: artificial intelligence and the quantified worker
As AI enters the workplace, we need to reflect upon the criteria by which human work is evaluated and human subjectivity depicted.
Designing AI tools to benefit workers
Continuing our series on artificial intelligence, AI can augment human work—if workers’ representatives have a voice in implementing it.
How his ‘Brexit’ project explains Johnson’s dithering on Covid-19
Paul Mason explains how Boris Johnson’s idiosyncratic initial response to the coronavirus stemmed from his particularistic empire nostalgia.
The future of Europe is being decided now
Given the ravages of the coronavirus crisis, the future of Europe cannot be one of permanent division between its northern and southern states.
Save European citizens, and save the union
In the face of the momentous internal and external threats facing European citizens, a merely intergovernmental European Union will fail to match them.
What Europe can learn from living-wage campaigns
The UK’s Living Wage Campaign is a successful experiment in broad-based social advocacy.
The coronavirus and the ‘quarantining’ of Hungarian democracy
Many aspects of normal life have been suspended in Hungary due to the coronavirus, including parliamentary democracy.
The future of work in the post-Covid-19 digital era
The coronavirus crisis has spurred the growth of online work. The genie is not going back in the bottle and we must plan for a future of ‘decent digiwork’.
Democracy, authoritarianism and crises
The coronavirus crisis may be a natural disaster but, Sheri Berman writes, how governments are responding is a product of their politics.