Ireland’s route from boom to bubble to bust
Ireland’s volatile economic path of recent decades has wider European policy implications. Part one: the ‘Celtic Tiger’ and its demise
Should we worry about income gaps within or between countries?
The rise of populist nationalism throughout the west has been fuelled partly by a clash between the objectives of equity in rich countries and higher living standards in poor countries.
Grosse Koalition, small Klimapaket
Much was expected of the new climate package negotiated by the grand-coalition government in Berlin. Less was delivered.
German rebalancing—out of exit options
The consensus against German fiscal rebalancing is cracking—because the export demand which allowed it long to be avoided is looking shaky.
Open letter to my German friends about the ECB policy
Guillaume Duval argues that Germany can see the end of ECB quantitative easing—if only it stops imposing austerity on the eurozone.
Top of Lagarde’s ECB to-do list: stop QE and democratise monetary policy
If Christine Lagarde is serious about greening the European Central Bank, she must not hide behind its mandate.
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.
Ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit, listen to the science!
Public pressure is ratcheting higher on the climate crisis. But can the United Nations summit galvanise change, despite international divisions?
Mario Draghi and the Germans
Not only is German animus towards Mario Draghi misplaced, Peter Bofinger argues. His stewardship of the European Central Bank has been a boon for the largest eurozone economy.
Managing cultural diversity—liberal values at a premium
If Vladimir Putin thinks liberalism is obsolete when it comes to managing cultural diversity, democratic western-European leaders should not be echoing him.