debating progressive politics in Europe and beyond
What follows might seem unconventional for the topic of how to restore growth in an economy that is considered developed and is part of the eurozone. Greece is going through unprecedented times; the Greek people are experiencing the most debilitating crisis in the country’s modern history, a severe and sharp reduction in standards of living. [...]
In recent decades, the Swedish welfare has seen a major regime shift. From having comprehensive public welfare monopolies, Sweden has seen an extensive process to allow private for-profit actors into the welfare sector. Today, nearly one in five who work in the welfare sector are employed by the private sector. The welfare services have generally [...]
Neoliberal restructuring and the economic crisis have led to increasing inequality, social polarisation and societal disintegration. That austerity politics fosters these developments is widely acknowledged. Its gender effects, however, are mostly neglected, though, in contrast to the public rhetoric of equal opportunities and gender mainstreaming, gender inequality is rising. This contribution, therefore, focuses on the impact of [...]
With a considerable delay, I am now sitting in the Berlin S-Bahn (city train) on my way to work, reading – quite astonished – an article about Wall Street investment bankers yet again receiving astronomical bonus payments, as if nothing bad ever happened. What went wrong? Have we learned nothing from the severe economic and [...]
Even though at the time of writing it is just the end of November, it is safe to say that in 2010 social policy issues occupied a central place in German political debates. However, there is one surprising thing about these debates: Comparing the situation in Germany to other countries such as Ireland or Greece, [...]
‘The British government’s plan is bold, say the pundits – and so it is. But it boldly goes in exactly the wrong direction. Why is the British government doing this? The real reason has a lot to do with ideology: the Tories are using the deficit as an excuse to downsize the welfare state.’ So [...]
Lurking behind the obsession with budget austerity which is sweeping Europe (and threatening the USA) is far more than an economic debate about how best to return to growth. The critical question is whether the post-war ‘social democratic’ settlement is being dismantled – is the state becoming a mere vehicle for serving the interests of [...]
The author puts forward five principles to establish a more equal gender order against the risks of recessionary cutbacks. These encompass parental support policies, gender-specific impacts of minimum wage and pension policies, women’s rights to economic independence, public sector restructuring, and the need to challenge the power of male elites in the private sector. As [...]
After eleven years in government, the German Social Democratic Party are now having to cope with their greatest electoral defeat in the post-war period. On the day of the election there was a feeling almost of unbelief about what was happening, not just among party members but also among many supporters. How was it possible [...]
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