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Politics


Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on political issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.

How democracy can win again

Gergely Karácsony 15th September 2021

Democratic erosion in Hungary is symptomatic of structural problems afflicting most democracies, even threatening the future of civilisation.

Young people and planetary justice

Guido Montani 14th September 2021

Ultimately, resolving the collective-action dilemma of preserving a liveable planet will require a UN ‘constitution of the Earth’.

On the EU’s Belarus border, security and fundamental rights collide

Weronika Grzebalska 13th September 2021

Weronika Grzebalska argues that Lukashenka’s thrashing around in eastern Europe forces progressives to offer a positive alternative on security.

All together now: facing the global challenges of our time

Lauren Schwartz 9th September 2021

Recent headlines make it seem an inauspicious moment for a progressive transatlantic political alliance—yet this couldn’t be more urgent.

Left-wing austerity during international crises—it’s the financial markets, stupid!

Damian Raess 6th September 2021

Left governments adopted more conservative fiscal policies than right governments in recent crises. They have dire electoral consequences.

The consequences of neoliberal capitalism in eastern Europe

Sheri Berman 6th September 2021

Sheri Berman argues that post-communist left embrace of economic as well as political liberalism allowed populists to target the latter.

Progressive mayors in central and eastern Europe challenge the status quo

Veronica Anghel 3rd September 2021

Major cities in central and eastern Europe have elected liberal mayors. But socially conservative attitudes are unlikely to shift at national level.

Turkey and the Istanbul convention—fighting to keep it alive

Selin Sayek-Böke 3rd September 2021

The Turkish president no doubt thinks his decision to de-ratify the Istanbul convention is irreversible. The main opposition party disagrees.

Stefan Löfven—welding progressives together and keeping the far right at bay

Lisa Pelling 1st September 2021

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

Margarida Silva and Max Bank 1st September 2021

Record spending by technology companies lobbying the EU represents a democratic problem.

Apocalypse or co-operation?

Jayati Ghosh 12th August 2021

The perfect storm of Covid-19 and climate change, and resulting economic damage, will likely trigger much more social and political instability.

Move fast and break Big Tech’s power

Diego Naranjo 27th July 2021

‘Surveillance capitalism’ can only be regulated on at least a European scale—and the mood for change is growing.

Mission-driven localities

Mariana Mazzucato and Georgia Gould 27th July 2021

While exposing and exacerbating longstanding inequalities, the pandemic has given rise to a wealth of promising local initiatives.

In Poland, public funding is given to those threatening liberal democracy

Justyna Kajta 26th July 2021

Right-wing, conservative and nationalist magazines were the primary beneficiaries of funds recently allocated by the country’s Ministry of Culture.

Enhancing the political participation of women from under-represented groups

Eglantina Gjermeni 23rd July 2021

The author of a report to the Council of Europe elaborates how representation gaps can be closed so politics is refreshed and reflects wider society.

Transatlantic trade co-operation: a lever for environmental and labour protection?

Giovanni Gruni 22nd July 2021

If the pitfalls of the last attempted transatlantic trade deal are avoided, this could be a vehicle for improving standards.

The long and winding road to global corporate tax justice

Alex Cobham 22nd July 2021

In theory, the Biden administration and the EU can collaborate to end multinational tax abuse. In practice, it’s not that simple.

Fighting Covid-19 requires fewer patents and more state

Piergiuseppe Fortunato 20th July 2021

Big Pharma has not been the real innovator in the fight against the pandemic and intellectual property rights must be reshaped to restore fairness.

Towards global progressiveness

Branko Milanovic 19th July 2021

Branko Milanovic sets out an agenda for global progressives in the 21st century.

Business lobbies offered privileged access to secretive EU Council group

Vicky Cann 15th July 2021

The European Union is often criticised as ‘technocratic’. Actually the problem is how business lobbies are seen as ‘neutral’ voices on deeply political issues.

Voices from the borders of Europe

Gemma Bird 14th July 2021

It’s a lot easier to ignore the plight of the refugees at Europe’s borders if one doesn’t hear their stories.

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