Child Guarantee—for most, but not all
The adoption of the European Child Guarantee is a big step forward. It will take another, however, to end institutional care.
Are social clauses really just hidden protectionism?
Social clauses in trade deals are sometimes represented as a premise for denial of market access to developing countries. The evidence suggests otherwise.
Trading on hope: why projections of the EU-Mercosur agreement are unreliable
The EU-Mercosur agreement, on which negotiations ended a year ago, awaits signing and ratification. They should be in no rush.
Inflation in the strongest recovery since 1945
Governments should ignore siren warnings that only hyperinflation can come from pandemic-induced investments.
A Europe free of elder abuse
The European Commission’s Green Paper on Ageing has a blindspot—elder abuse.
A first tango in Glasgow?
A new transatlantic relationship is critical to any hope of global realisation of the goals of the Paris agreement.
Pollution: no acceptable levels
‘Zero pollution’ is a very good goal for the European Union to adopt—but only if zero means zero.
People v Shell: from ‘corporate social responsibility’ to legal accountability
The successful action by citizens and NGOs in a Dutch court against Shell has sent a frisson through corporate boardrooms—with reason.
As Polish women flock towards volunteer defence, the left remains inept
Weronika Grzebalska begins a new Social Europe column by exploring how the liberal left in Poland has abdicated to the populists the resonant theme of women and defence.
EU migration and asylum pact abandons compassion and human rights
Faced with escalating deaths in the Mediterranean, official Europe needs to relocate its moral conscience.
‘Danger money’ bungs will not quell labour unrest in health and social care
The concerns of health and care workers go well beyond the pandemic and pay, touching on their human dignity.
What is NATO for?
Since the end of the cold war, NATO has struggled to find a role. It can find it in a focus on human security.
Defending democratic values
The cement for a new transatlantic relationship should be a common commitment to democracy in a world of rising authoritarian challenges.
Democracy, activism and the rule of law—key weapons against fascism
Fascism is not just sepia images of yesteryear but a contemporary threat. A liberal-left alliance is needed to counter it.
Strategies for a world without right-wing populism and nationalism
The radical right has been setting the agenda in terms of identity and security. Social democrats need to recapture it and redefine Europe.
Threats to American democracy
Sheri Berman warns that while the threats may seem incremental they pose a real danger—which Europeans should note.
Robots, jobs and the future of work
Apocalyptic visions of robots stealing workers’ jobs are not only misguided but have diverted attention from more significant trends.