Social policy in the European Union

 

Aim of the project

Until the start of the circulation of the Euro, discussions on economic integration In Europe mainly focused on costs and benefits of European Monetary Integration. In this discussion of costs and benefits, monetary policy and fiscal policy have been playing an important role. Less attention has been paid to labor market policies, except the labor market flexibility part that has attracted a lot of attention. But in a currency area that uses nevertheless one currency, the proper functioning of the labor market is of utmost importance, the more so if the currency area turns out to be not optimal. The proper functioning of the labour market is also important for the finance of the Welfare State. For Europe, the relevant question is: how can we improve the functioning of the labor markets within the type of Welfare State that has been characterizing the member states for so many years? In my view, European integration is on the eve of a discussion about social policy and about harmonization of social policy and about the level of centralization of social policy. A number of interesting questions have to be discussed:
- What is social policy and what is to be harmonized?
- Convergence of social policy
- Is there a case for social policy federalism?
- Taxes and the labour market

Planned activities

1) Create a network of researchers on this theme;
2) Organization of a workshop on the theme "Social Policy In Europe";
3) Create a database on the costs (taxes and premiums) and the benefits (unemployment benefits, replacement ratios) of social policy in Europe;
4) Publication of a book with major research contributions in the field.

 

 

 

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