The consequences of neoliberal capitalism in eastern Europe
Sheri Berman argues that post-communist left embrace of economic as well as political liberalism allowed populists to target the latter.
Left-wing austerity during international crises—it’s the financial markets, stupid!
Left governments adopted more conservative fiscal policies than right governments in recent crises. They have dire electoral consequences.
Turkey and the Istanbul convention—fighting to keep it alive
The Turkish president no doubt thinks his decision to de-ratify the Istanbul convention is irreversible. The main opposition party disagrees.
Progressive mayors in central and eastern Europe challenge the status quo
Major cities in central and eastern Europe have elected liberal mayors. But socially conservative attitudes are unlikely to shift at national level.
Platforms put a spoke in the wheels of Spain’s ‘riders’ law’
The Ley de Riders, recognising delivery riders as employees, is now a reality. But is it a game-changer?
Wellbeing at work—it’s time to up the ante
The new EU health-and-safety strategy risks being a missed opportunity to address workplace mental health and wellbeing.
Stefan Löfven—welding progressives together and keeping the far right at bay
The Swedish social-democrat leader, shortly to step down, didn’t buckle under pressure despite a slender parliamentary hold.
How Big Tech money skews the European playing-field
Record spending by technology companies lobbying the EU represents a democratic problem.
National egoism versus planetary responsibility
Tackling the climate crisis is fundamentally incompatible with our understanding of sovereignty.
Apocalypse or co-operation?
The perfect storm of Covid-19 and climate change, and resulting economic damage, will likely trigger much more social and political instability.
Climate change: labour’s neglected role
The Paris Agreement’s goals can not be fulfilled if neoliberalism prevails—which means only labour’s participation can bring success.
Maximising the potential of the European Green Deal
The European Green Deal doesn’t deserve uncritical support—but nor does it need sniping from the sidelines.
Amazon no longer absorbs carbon—has the world reached the point of no return?
The news that the Amazon rainforest is no longer a carbon sink puts a further big question-mark against the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
Dedramatising debt
Post-pandemic recovery and the green transition—and Europe’s competitiveness—depend on investment financed by joint borrowing.
Europe gets back to the work … of getting people to work
The notion that active-labour-market policies are the solution to unemployment has long been an act of faith. That’s the problem.
Move fast and break Big Tech’s power
‘Surveillance capitalism’ can only be regulated on at least a European scale—and the mood for change is growing.
Mission-driven localities
While exposing and exacerbating longstanding inequalities, the pandemic has given rise to a wealth of promising local initiatives.