Germany’s traffic-light coalition: green light or stuck on amber?
Peter Bofinger recognises the compromises necessary for a three-party government but regrets the lack of vision to face a decade of huge challenges.
European social dialogue—can it be revived?
The European Court of Justice has affirmed that agreements arising from European social dialogue need not be implemented by the EU institutions.
Refugees fleeing Lebanon look to Europe—but Europe looks away
In a case study of human desperation, state failure drives refugees to Cyprus, only to meet pushbacks and a numbed European conscience.
Who will be covered by an EU instrument on platform work?
Valerio De Stefano and Antonio Aloisi
A broad definition of the ‘worker’ will be essential to avoid platform companies sustaining false self-employment claims.
To end poverty, invest in children
The author presents a report today to the UN General Assembly on the persistence of poverty, following dialogues with people in poverty around the world.
The EU must step up in Glasgow
The EU was critical in the Paris climate agreement of 2015 and success in Glasgow may again depend on its leadership.
‘Social media’, market power and the health of democracy
With the whistle blown on Facebook, Congress must allocate ownership of personal data to the person—not the platform—to allow competitive providers to emerge.
Biden’s trap
Joe Biden’s administration must deliver on sweeping new federal programmes while placating moderates who oppose radical policy measures.
Can Xi Jinping defeat three stubborn modern inequalities?
Branko Milanovic argues that ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’ is replicating United States inequalities.
A new global economic consensus
The pandemic has highlighted the deficiencies of economic deregulation and market liberalisation and a new policy-making paradigm is emerging.
Making lifelong learning a reality in the EU
Sofia Fernandes and Klervi Kerneïs
There was a time when education and training were for life. But amid today’s social transformations only lifelong learning will do.
Brexit: why does Northern Ireland matter so much?
So little appears at stake in the Northern Ireland protocol yet it’s at the heart of the Brexit deadlock. But then it’s a proxy for something else.
The Pandora Papers and the threat to democracy
In demonstrating how some of the world’s most powerful people hide their wealth, the Pandora Papers have exposed the details of a global system.
Why a new University of Labour?
As workers’ representatives face the challenges of digitalised work and fragmented workforces, a ‘University of Labour’ in Germany offers support.
The improbable victory: lessons of the SPD’s election win
In his first Social Europe column, Robert Misik explains how the SPD prevailed in the Bundestag elections—and what follows.