EU enlargement versus social Europe? The uncertain future of the European Social Model

Book abstract:

Size matters! So goes the advertising slogan of one major European car maker, and the next phase of enlargement of the European Union would seem to endorse that view. Has the economic argument overwhelmed the social considerations that have helped to build Social Europe? Will the social issues create conflict in the economic arguments as the social differentials in terms of wages, GDP per head and poverty between candidate countries and current EU Member States increase in significance? Have these aspects been fully considered? How might Social Europe develop in the enlarged Union?
This book has two main objectives: first, to provide a comprehensive assessment of candidate countries and their social policy areas most relevant to EU enlargement - wages, working conditions, social protection, employment and industrial relations; and secondly, to address its most sensitive 'social dumping' aspects: capital relocation, labour migration and redirection of trade, which might disrupt the EU enlargement process in one way or another.
The author subjects these issues to detailed analysis from two viewpoints: first, the characteristics of applicant countries that may influence EU social policy, and secondly, the strengths and weaknesses of the 'European Social Model' with regard to EU enlargement. The book goes on to make recommendations for reform and explores areas that EU social policy will need to adapt to take account of the newcomers' economies and societies, but at the same time trying to preserve the basic features of the European Social Model.
The book will interest scholars, students and researchers of European Studies and social policy.
Daniel C. Vaughan-Whitehead is President of the International Association for the Economics of Workers' Participation.