Social Protection in Europe: Do We Need More Coordination?

Summary This article deals with the question whether we need to speed up social convergence in the enlarged EU by setting common standards for social benefit levels. We conclude that the case for such a harmonization is not strong. Analysing several indicators, we show that there are no clear signs of a social race to the bottom yet. And we do not expect this to happen as a consequence of the enlargement either. Once economic convergence will materialise, the new member states should also be able to converge to higher protection levels. However, we do acknowledge the importance of the social dimension of the integration process and argue that the currently used method of open coordination in the social domain should be strengthened, in order to face the common challenge to reform the social system. Not more, but more effective coordination is needed.