Social policy in the European Union (original) (raw)
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The Future of National Social Policies in the Context of European Integration
1 lnti-nrinr>tinn lation, where ageing is a combined effect of an ini lniroaucuon « rr * i ^ , *i* creased life expectancy and a decreasing fertility The research question guiding this article is wheth-rate. Secondly, the traditional family towards which er and to what extent transnational pressures that so many social policies were targeted no longer exappear common to all national welfare states pro duce similar outcomes in terms of their social poli cies. Our leading hypothesis is that transnational o f stable employment patterns and trajectories that seem ists as the number of divorced, single-person and single-parent households spirals. Thirdly, the kind pressures do narrow national political options to a considerable extent, but do not entirely exhaust the y room for national policy-makers to choose from a the post-industrialization of labour markets (de-in-to have belonged to a growing, industrial economy are challenged. Slackening economic growth and set of (limited) options. This is particularly the case for social policy. Moreover, even if similar policies are pursued, the policy outcomes are not necessarily identical across national contexts. In addition, under dustrialization, the growth of the service economy, new technologies and flexibilization, etc.) have generally decreased job security and the continuity of employment and have caused a rise in irregular certain conditions transnational constraints effec-and atypical employment. Fourthly, changing relatively emerge as new options. What is commonly understood as transnational constraints on sove-tions between men and women with respect to the division of labour within and outside the family reignty and autonomy may under certain condi-(paid work and unpaid care) as well as the increasing tions and to a certain extent in reality provide new differentiation of the life cycle and o f careers have opportunities that, in fact, augment the national strongly challenged the gendered assumptions of room for policy-making. Finally, the extent to many welfare state arrangements. Fifthly, political!)
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 ...
The Social Policy of the European Union Professor
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This paper aims at briefly analyzing the social policy of the European Union (EU), in terms of its place, purpose and objectives in the general EU policies, as well as from the legal and practical points of view. The main objectives of the employment and social policy in the EU member states are promoting full employment of people able to work, improving living and working conditions, and harmonizing frameworks for working and growth. Therefore, several measures are implemented in all domains of economic policies. The European social model combines economic dynamism with social justice. Population and workforce ageing, as well as other changes in the society will create a continuous and growing pressure on social protection systems. This paper contributes to an ongoing dialogue by discussing unemployment and social policies from both a psychological point of view, as well as from the perspective of economic theory and practice.
Social Policy and European Union
Social Policy & Administration, 1994
What social policy developments may be reasonabty expected from the European Union? Three possible positions on this question are developed: a market liberal view; a progressive liberal view; and an institutionalist view. None of these positions is obviously the correct one, and in each case a mixture of pragmatic and principled criticisms can be developed. However, it is argued that the progressive liberal position strikes an ethically acceptable balance of competing considerations.
The Social Situation in the European Union 2004
The fifth annual Report on the Social Situation in the European Union contains two sections: Section One presents an overview of the key social and economic developments in Europe, with facts and figures relating to the social dimension of the enlarged Union, looking at both developing social trends and emerging policy challenges. This overview is completed by thematic annexes on population trends, socio-economic trends, living conditions, human capital development, social protection and social participation. Section Two presents a series of statistical portraits that address a range of relevant social policy concerns for the European Union. Virtually all the main European social policy domains are covered: population; education and training; labour market; social protection; income, poverty and social exclusion; gender equality and health and safety. This section also contains a number of annexes providing additional statistical information.
The main social challenges faced by European societies are said to be similar to those that confront all industrial societies, at least at the macro-level: the new labour order, the ageing of populations, the trend towards migration and multi-ethnicity, new social risks, regional differentiation and the demands on people of the knowledge-based economy (Maydell v. et al. 2006: 50). In such a context, regional associations can find an appropriate role in helping to bring nations together to confront these social challenges. This is the case of the European Union (EU), which is increasingly projecting itself both as the forum where discussion of common problems should take place and as the venue where solutions will be found – through the reform of the European Social Model (The Lisbon Council 2008) and through streamlining and consolidating social policies into the heart of integration policy (Maydell v. et al. 2006: 285–95). For its part, the second major European regional body, the Council of Europe, has been credited for its role in opening up discussion of social and human rights issues to the countries of Eastern Europe (Huber 1999). Its aims include social goals such as ‘to find common solutions to the challenges facing European society: such as discrimination against minorities, xenophobia, intolerance, bioethics and cloning, terrorism, trafficking in human beings, organized crime and corruption, cyber crime, violence against children’ (Council of Europe 2008). In other words, both organizations see themselves as part of the solution. With the repeated adherence of new member states – currently twenty-seven – and the continuing queue for membership from Eastern and Southern European states, the European Union is the most advanced of the world’s regional socio-economic and political integration projects. And with its ever-evolving Treaties – most recently the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon – and the repeated extension of powers accorded to its central supra-national body, the European Commission, it is also the world’s most developed case of nation-states pooling their sovereignty.
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 ‘...