The European Social Model: Basis for a Strategy

Abstract

In the first half of this book we analysed and criticized the dominant neo-liberal approach to economic and social policy in the EU. The critique refers to both the theoretical foundations and the practical consequences of this approach. It can be summarized by the statement that the combination of market radicalism plus monetary and fiscal austerity is a harmful policy framework, which has led to economic weakness, persistently high unemployment, growing social inequalities and insecurity, and environmental degradation in the EU. Such developments are harmful for the majority of the population in the EU.