A European Social Union after the Crisis

Frank Vandenbroucke, Catherine Barnard, Geert De Baere

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781108415781
• eBook ISBN: 9781108246637
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: International Law
• Index: Law

Today, many people agree that the EU lacks solidarity and needs a social dimension. This debate is not new, but until now the notion of a 'social Europe' remained vague and elusive. To make progress, we need a coherent conception of the reasons behind, and the agenda for, not a 'social Europe', but a new idea: a European Social Union. We must motivate, define, and demarcate an appropriate notion of European solidarity. We must also understand the legal and political obstacles, and how these can be tacked. In short, we need unequivocal answers to questions of why, what, and how: on that basis, we can define a clear-cut normative and institutional concept. That is the remit of this book: it provides an in-depth interdisciplinary examination of the rationale and the feasibility of a European Social Union. Outstanding scholars and top-level practitioners reflect on obstacles and solutions, from an economic, social, philosophical, legal, and political perspective.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title page
• Copyright information
• Table of contents
• List of figures
• List of tables
• List of contributors
• Preface
• Table of Cases
• Summaries of Key Court Cases
• Part I Solidarity and Legitimacy
• Part II Topics in European Governance
• Part III Legal and Institutional Challenges
• Part IV Politics
• Index