European Political Economy combines the key theoretical and empirical approaches of political economy and EU scholarship. It draws on theoretical debates and recent policy case studies, to help readers apply theories and methods to real life issues in European political economy. The book offers a clear analysis of some of the most pressing challenges confronting Europe, such as the political impact of rising inequality, the functioning and the effects of Economic and Monetary Union, the future of the ‘European’ social model, the ongoing impact of Brexit, Europe's role in a changing global economy, and Europe's response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Book
Edited by Manuela Moschella, Lucia Quaglia, and Aneta Spendzharova
Chapter
7. Welfare and Labour
Caroline de la Porte and Ilaria Madama
This chapter argues that welfare states and labour markets constitute a central issue in European political economy. It then discusses the main theoretical and empirical theories and concepts in regulating social policies and labour markets in the multi-tiered EU institutional setting. Under the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), Member States aimed to enhance labour market participation, while modernizing their welfare states and maintaining a high level of social standards. The chapter presents three case studies on social investment. It also looks into the re-regulatory approach embodied in the European Pillar of Social Rights and the possibilities for selected social policies being fiscally supported through the Next Generation EU.
