Open AccessThe Future of the European Union: A Critical Trade Union View
Author(s) -
John Medhurst,
Enrico Tortolano
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of contemporary european research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.299
H-Index - 15
ISSN - 1815-347X
DOI - 10.30950/jcer.v5i4.229
Subject(s) - european union , european social model , general partnership , cohesion (chemistry) , political science , social partnership , political economy , european court of justice , economics , economic system , sociology , european union law , public administration , international trade , law , chemistry , organic chemistry
This paper offers a radical critique of the current framework of economic policy within the European Union and its negative effect on social cohesion. It defends the aspirations of the “Social Europe” model but suggests this model is now withering on the vine, not least because employers and governments no longer support it and have withdrawn from genuine social partnership. The paper asserts that the undemocratic nature of European policy making institutions is a fundamental bloc to progressive reform of the EU, and criticises the economic philosophy inherent in the Lisbon Agenda and recent controversial European Court of Justice decisions that have expanded that agenda. Lastly, it sketches some alternatives to this direction of travel, drawn from successful models within and outside Europe.