A European Social Union after the Crisis

Description

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.

Frank Vandenbroucke studied economics in Leuven and Cambridge (UK), and received his D.Phil. in Oxford. He was a member of the Belgian and Flemish parliament, and Minister of social affairs, employment, pensions, and education. Catherine Barnard is Professor in European Union Law and Employment Law at the University of Cambridge, and senior tutor and fellow of Trinity College. She specialises in EU law and employment law. Geert De Baere is Legal Secretary at the Court of Justice of the EU and Associate Professor of EU Law and International Law at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. His research interests include EU constitutional law and theory, particularly regarding EU external action, and (the theory of) international law.