Giving Europe political substance
In our ‘Europe2025’ series, Mary Kaldor argues that developing substantive democracy in Europe to tame neoliberal globalisation must be the Leitmotif for the coming European term.
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.
A woman’s place is in the leadership of her union
As the workforce is feminised and women come to predominate among union members, the next step is assuming leadership roles in the trade-union movement.
A new ‘mode of action’ for Europe—prioritising the polity
In the latest contribution to our ‘Europe2025’ series, Sophie Pornschlegel argues the EU needs to rethink its mode of action, in addition to tackling the pressing policy challenges ahead.
Brexit and the left
The Labour Party has squandered three years in addressing the challenge posed by the Brexit referendum.
What’s driving populism?
If authoritarian populism is rooted in economics, then the appropriate remedy is a populism of another kind—targeting economic injustice and inclusion—but pluralist in its politics and not necessarily damaging to democracy.
The future of Europe: rebalancing ecology, economics and ethics
Europe needs a new eco-social paradigm if it is to ward off the populist sirens and offer a positive vision for the continent.
The new Spanish minimum wage
Raising wage floors is one way to reduce inequality and stimulate recovery in Europe. A big uplift in the Spanish minimum wage this year provides a test bed.
A defeat for the populist right isn’t always a win for the social-democratic left
The populist right and the social-democratic left may contest for the support of the popular classes but, Sheri Berman argues, it’s not a simple zero-sum game.
Austria’s smoking gun: Strache, ‘Ibiza-gate’ and ‘Saint’ Sebastian
Even such huge scandals, which lead to the dissolution of a government, resignation of a vice-chancellor and the disclosure of massive corruption, might conclude with more of the same.
Europeanisation from below: still time for another Europe?
In the latest contribution to our ‘Europe2025’ series, Donatella della Porta argues that it has become increasingly difficult for social movements to envision another Europe from below.
Public discourse in the populist age—a trade-union perspective
Winning the battle against the populists means foregrounding and addressing social inequalities, not presuming political liberalism monopolises the alternative.
Turning the tide on violence and harassment at work
The #MeToo movement raised global awareness about the experience of harassment at work—now we have a potentially far-reaching ILO convention to combat the phenomenon.
Creating social legitimacy in the EU
The EU will only survive long-term if it builds its future agenda on broad public support through open dialogue and innovative consultation.
Social democrats and their allies—where now after the elections?
Close scrutiny of the European Parliament and recent national elections belies a simple story of long-run decline for social democrats. A progressive programme is key to revival.
EU complicit in criminalising search and rescue
The arrest of the captain of an NGO rescue ship operating in the Mediterranean highlights the EU’s inaction in the face of Italy’s increasingly hostile agenda.
Time for postcapitalism
Paul Mason continues his sketch of a postcapitalist world by drawing out its implications for something in increasingly short supply—time.
Is there a revival of the Socialist Party in Spain?
The April general election in Spain was certainly a step forward for the Socialist Party. But that was only a recovery from its ‘third way’ step back.