Economic Policy for a Social Europe

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

   PDF

2. Introduction: the European Social Model: a Contested Concept

   1. Introduction: the European Social Model: a Contested Concept

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 1-8

3. Critique of Economic Policies in Europe

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9

      PDF

   2. European Integration (1974–2004): towards a Neo-liberal Zone

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 11-26

   3. Macroeconomic Policies: a Self-defeating Regime

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 27-40

   4. The Drive for Financial Integration: Stability and Inclusion at Risk

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 41-58

   5. The Attack on the Public Sector

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 59-69

   6. The ‘Modernization’ of Social Policy: a Critique of Pension Reforms

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 70-81

   7. Employment through Labour Market Flexibility? A Critical Appraisal of the European Employment Strategy

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 82-94

   8. Europe’s Environment in Bad Shape

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 95-112

   9. Structural Policies: Weak and Market Biased

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 113-127

   10. Agricultural Policy: the Need for Reform

       • Jörg Huffschmid

       Pages 128-136

   11. European Trade Policy: Weak and Too Liberal

       • Jörg Huffschmid

       Pages 137-146

   12. Enlargement: Not Enough Support for the New Members

       • Jörg Huffschmid

       Pages 147-163

   13. Policy Coordination: Legitimate and Effective?

       • Jörg Huffschmid

       Pages 164-177

4. Proposals for Alternatives

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 179-179

      PDF

   2. The European Social Model: Basis for a Strategy

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 181-188

   3. More Active Monetary and Exchange Rate Policies

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 189-197

   4. Fiscal Policies: Stronger Coordination and Higher EU Budget

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 198-213

   5. Labour Market Policies: Higher Standards

      • Jörg Huffschmid

      Pages 214-222

This book poses a critique of neoliberal economic polices in the EU and proposals for alternatives. The book argues that the economic weakness of the EU is the result of the very restrictive economic policy of the Union and most member states. The book advances from a comprehensive critique of macroeconomic, social and structural policies towards a concrete concept for a democratic European social model based on the objectives of full employment, welfare, social equity and ecological sustainability.

• budget
• cultural policy
• economic policy
• efficiency
• employment
• European integration
• European Union (EU)
• integration
• labor market
• macroeconomics
• police
• Policy
• strategy
• trade policy
• welfare

• University of Bremen, Germany

  Jörg Huffschmid

JÖRG HUFFSCHMID was Professor for Political Economy and Economic Policy at the University of Bremen, Germany. He was Visiting Professor at the New School, New York, USA. He specialized in financial markets and European integration. He was the Co-Founder and Co-ordinator of the network European Economists for an Alternative Economic Policy in Europe.

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