Analysis of the Social Agendas (original) (raw)
Related papers
European Social Policy? Prospects for the new EU Commission
Whilst the intricate set of national and genuine European competences is probably just as convoluted as it has always been, the expectations of EU citizens are nothing of the sort. This is especially true in the area of employment and social affairs. What they want from policymakers is social safety and risk protection. And whether these things are done on the European or national level is of little importance. We have studied the latest data on social justice in the EU in order to describe the most important tasks and challenges currently facing Marianne Thyssen, the new Social Affairs Commissioner.
2002
Welfare issues in the EU were clearly subordinated to the completion of the European open market. Economic objectives come first although the range of areas covered has expanded through the continuing efforts of the European Commission to enlarge its sphere of competence, reinforced by judgements of the European Court of Justice. Social policy is legitimate as long as it can help promote economic goals, especially the free movement of labour. In the other market-related areas, there has been some developments in relation ...
Social Policy in the European Union
Executive Summary This case study examines the policy structure and policy process of the National Action Plans for Employment and the European Employment Strategy. The case study report answers the question of the extent to which a European social space is emerging in relation to employment policies related to the National Action Plans introduced in 1998.
Decision making under the EU’s Social Chapter
International Review of Law and Economics, 1998
In 1991, the European Union (EU) created a new procedure for social policy legislation. A central feature of the Social Chapter, which will become applicable to all EU countries owing to the Amsterdam Treaty, is that trade unions and employer organizations, the social partners, can propose legislation. Two legally contentious issues are analyzed: (1) whether Commission and Council are endowed with discretion; and (2) whether either of them can amend proposals. Although discretion restricts the social partners' influence, the right to amend can make the Social Chapter ineffective.
International Journal of Regulation and Governance
This paper outlines the development of social policy-making in the EU (European Union). It argues that contrary to the prognoses and judgements of many observers, the social dimension is rapidly emerging as a key factor in EU policy-making and governance. In some policy areas, the development entails reinforcement and elaboration of earlier policy considerations, for instance, in the area of occupational safety and work environment. Other policy developments – in the areas of employment, public health, food, anti-discrimination, gender equality, and fundamental rights – are largely recent, having emerged in the 1980s, and give an entirely new profile to EU policy-making and governance. The paper also argues that ‘soft laws’ and ‘non-legislative measures’ characterize some of the most significant developments in the general area of social policy. This is largely due to the requirement under EU rules that unanimity is necessary for legislation addressing social issues. However, even ‘...
The European Union's social dimension: From market to welfare?
International Journal of Regulation and Governance, 2001
This paper outlines the development of social policy-making in the EU (European Union). It argues that contrary to the prognoses and judgements of many observers, the social dimension is rapidly emerging as a key factor in EU policy-making and governance. In some policy areas, the development entails reinforcement and elaboration of earlier policy considerations, for instance, in the area of occupational safety and work environment. Other policy developments in the areas of employment, public health, food, anti-discrimination, gender equality, and fundamental rights are largely recent, having emerged in the 1980s, and give an entirely new profile to EU policy-making and governance.