Description
Book SynopsisPreface by Anton Hemerijck, Professor of Political Science and Sociology, European University Institute, Florence, Italy
While for some scholars the Euro crisis dashed the dream of Social Europe, this thought-provoking book proposes a more nuanced assessment, challenging the notion of austerity as the only way forward. Tracing the evolution of the political debate on European social integration and its interplay with the European economic governance after the Euro crisis, it sheds light on the conflict dynamics and political conditions that enabled the progressive shift away from the initial post-crisis EU ‘conservative reflex’, towards a new European holding environment for flourishing welfare states.
This timely book provides a detailed reconstruction of the European social agenda after the Great Recession, touching upon budgetary, legislative and coordinative policies and including an in-depth analysis of the EU response to the Covid-19 crisis. Utilising innovative approaches and methodology, Francesco Corti identifies four lines of functional and territorial conflict which characterise the debate on EU social integration. An original focus on the role of the European Parliament in fostering further social integration gives the book an original and insightful perspective.
The Politicisation of Social Europe will be a key resource for students and scholars of European politics, political sociology and welfare states, as well as EU officials and policy makers seeking to identify strategies that can facilitate them in pursuing a successful social agenda.
Trade Review‘Francesco Corti’s The Politicisation of Social Europe
is a timely contribution to the unexpected revamping of social Europe and its progressive politicization in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.’ -- Igor Guardiancich, Regional Studies
‘Francesco Corti’s timely book offers a unique overview of recent developments in the EU social agenda and its interaction with the deepening of European economic integration following the Great Recession. His careful and detailed analysis of the politics behind European integration shows a deep understanding of how EU policies are made, and sheds light both on the obstacles undermining EU social integration as well as on the margins for manoeuvre that allowed further progress over the past years. Key findings of the book concern the role of the European Parliament as a new engine of European social integration, the re-discovered role of the European Commission as a social entrepreneur and the return of the community-method as a strategy to strengthen Social Europe. The reasoned optimism that permeates the book gives a needed stimulus to a debate on the future developments in Social Europe that seems to be being revitalised following the pandemic.’ -- Frank Vandenbroucke, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Belgian Federal Government, Belgium
‘Lots of people have opinions or expectations about Social Europe – very few have wide-ranging factual knowledge about how EU policies are made. Francesco Corti’s book covers some of the key chapters of EU social policy in the past decade from posted workers to unemployment benefits, based on years of thorough analysis and extensive field work. What is even more impressive than Corti’s clarity about strategic concepts and attention to detail is his reasoned optimism about the possibility of progressive reform.’ -- László Andor, Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Belgium
‘The book provides an up-to-date assessment of Social Europe and its politics since the Great Recession. It outlines the main conflict lines (ideological, functional, territorial) which have shaped policy development at the EU level and gauges their relative significance in different arenas and issue areas in relation to the actors involved and decision making rules. One of the most original findings is the increasing relevance of partisan affiliation along the left right dimension within the European Parliament: a novel development, which marks an advancement in the political structuring of the EU. With its optimistic evaluation of the ongoing “social momentum” of EU policy making, the book brings a fresh and stimulating perspective to the debate on the European Social Model, still predominantly characterised by disillusionment and low spirits.’ -- Maurizio Ferrera, University of Milan, Italy
Table of ContentsContents: Preface: EU social politics coming out from the cold Anton Hemerijck Introduction to The Politicisation of Social Europe 1. EU integration and the welfare state 2. Social Europe after the Great Recession 3. The Social Pillar and the debate in the European Parliament 4. From the Monti II Regulation to the revision of the posting of workers directive 5. The European Unemployment Benefit Scheme: between political conflicts and windows of opportunity 6. When politics steps in: the socialisation of the Semester and the role of the European Commissionn 7. Social Europe after Covid-19 Bibliography Index
