Trade unions tackling populism
The populists present themselves as the voice of the ‘little people’. For trade unions tackling populism entails standing up for a fair and sustainable globalisation.
The unbearable unrealism of the present
Paul Mason begins a series of columns for Social Europe on the theme of postcapitalism and society, stressing the urgency of a new economic model.
The great tax debate—the world is turning
When intellectual and moral arguments align, the global climate can change quickly. That’s what’s happening with the US tax debate.
Countering the crisis of the left
Should social democracy tack towards populists wooing its electorate with xenophobic slogans? The crisis of the left demands instead a positive alternative to social insecurity.
It is time to restore the wage share
The wage share has been falling across the world as inequality has increased in recent decades. A co-ordinated rise is needed, starting in Europe, to reverse that.
Social discontent and democracy in the EU
Europe’s citizens stand restive at a crossroads. After the May parliamentary election, democracy in the EU can take a leap forward—or the populists can reprise a dark history.
European Parliament elections—battle for ‘Europe’s soul’?
The European Parliament election campaign is entering full swing—a detailed analysis of the platforms of the main European party groups and what the political consequences might be for the EU over the next five years.
Enforcing labour standards via EU free-trade agreements
Free-trade agreements have raised huge controversy over clauses allowing of corporate challenge. But they can be used to enforce labour standards.
Democracy splutters—good governance under pressure
Amid political polarisation and declining democratic standards, can OECD and EU countries sustain the good governance challenges such as globalisation, social inequality and climate breakdown demand?
Erdoğan’s aggression against Turkey’s Kurds—it’s personal
Turkey’s Kurds have long faced oppression by the state. But they have come to be seen by the Erdoğan regime as the main obstacle to its untrammelled power.
Jeremy Corbyn is wrong on the EU
The UK Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is wrong to believe the EU environment inimical to a radical government. He should support a second ‘Brexit’ referendum.
The migrants genocide: the banality of democracy
The vast numbers drowning invisibly in the Mediterranean have evoked little European sympathy. Redefining this tragedy as the migrants genocide might bring a shock.
The loss of European memory
A commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law was Europe's answer to fascism. The loss of this European memory presents real dangers amid a resurgent populism.
European social rights—Marshall for the 21st century
The European Union has been much more successful at ‘negative’, market-liberalising integration than ‘positive’ social measures. The concept of social rights can change that.
Does the European Union generate external instability?
The historic achievement of peace within a Europe of universal norms is belied by the external instability engendered by violent and incoherent interventions.
Macron the populist
The popularity of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has slumped—but then inside Macron the populist is Macron the elitist.
Europe’s refugee crisis explains why border walls don’t stop migration
The US president, Donald Trump, remains in a standoff with Congress over finance for his much-vaunted Mexico barrier. Europe has learned that border walls are neither a humane nor an effective response to human flow.