The Goulard case—a rap on the knuckles for Emmanuel Macron
The rejection by the European Parliament of Slyvie Goulard as French commissioner showed that ‘it’s France’ is not a sufficient excuse for special treatment.
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.
Can Europe help the Balkans keep its young emigrants?
High emigration rates are doing massive damage to the prospects of the western Balkans—would a stronger EU perspective reverse this outflow?
Western Balkans need accession-talks signal from EU
Access for the states concerned, most immediately for North Macedonia and Albania, would be many years off—but the symbolism is important.
Is it time to ban political advertising on Facebook?
Karin Pettersson argues that ‘free speech’ is not a licence for politicians relying on rage to lie, and for such lies to be amplified by ‘social media’.
The limits of the nationalist left
The nationalist left offers one response to neoliberal globalisation. The wrong one.
Wellbeing: an economy that works for children?
A Child Guarantee can be a second launchpad for investing in children.
Time to act to leave no child behind
Children without or at risk of losing parental care represent a stain on Europe’s moral conscience.
The parliamentary election in Poland—the future at stake
Whether the coming election in Poland will consolidate the monopoly of the national-conservative PiS or favour a more pluralist balance of power, it will have a significant impact on Polish political culture.
Portuguese elections: Socialists expected to return to power but without a majority
The Portuguese governmental ‘contraption’ has turned out to be surprisingly enduring—so much so that it may face another term
Grosse Koalition, small Klimapaket
Much was expected of the new climate package negotiated by the grand-coalition government in Berlin. Less was delivered.
Why the radical right is no longer the exclusive domain of older, male voters
The typical radical-right voter is often assumed to be older and male, with conservative views on women’s and LGBT rights—an assumption which should now be reassessed.
Spitzenkandidaten, transnational lists and more Brussels-bubble ideas
The Spitzenkandidaten system was meant to enhance the democratic legitimacy of the European Parliament. But that wasn’t why more citizens voted in May.
The scramble for Europe
The European Union needs to lead the world towards a secure, multipolar future. If not, it will fall victim to the law of the political jungle.
The downsides and dangers of economic determinism
Economic determinism has appealed, at various times, to some on the left and on the right. Either way it avoids facing the choices politics entails.
Better working conditions, more predictable work—the new EU directive
The EU directive on irregular work is a positive step but it struggles with the contradiction of protecting workers from the labour-market risks transferred by capital.
Time to act for climate justice
A ‘peoples summit’ in New York ahead of the official UN climate summit brings environmental and human-rights campaigners together in pursuit of climate justice.
From Fridays for Future to a global climate-justice unionism?
Since the social and ecological crises are so intertwined, a ‘climate-justice unionism’ is required to address them in a holistic way.