What do you think about European Social Model? Is it a good way to describe social policy in Europe? Is it really a policy goal or only an idea?
Do you know any articles about it?
European Social Model is only an idea accomplished in certain European Union documents. In reality after the war until eighties the three main social models, according Titmuss and Esping-Andersen were implemented in developed world - liberal-marginal, conservative-corporative-bismarckian and universalistic -redistributive socialdemocratic. In Europe Britain and Ireland represented the first, continental Western Europe - the second, and Nordic countries - the third model. After 1996 Ferreras work they began to talk about the fourth - Southern European social model, later - about - Eastern European social model. Both these models in addition to bismarckian elements had clientelistiuc features, but Southern model was more fragmented (the best example is Greece). THERE WERE NO PURE MODELS ACCORDING THIS SCHEME -THEY ARE IDEAL - it was the mixture, but with prevailing elements and tendencies. There is no general European social model - only EU idea and may be, also looking from non -European countries You can notice some common European features. And Giddens and some other researchers payed to this attention. But in reality, there are several models in Europe and EU really does not strive for the common European model. In fact, after 1990 ies all the above mentioned social models have drifted to the side of liberal-marginal model. This was because of neo-liberal and globalization offensive. But still it is possible to talk about prevailing different models in different European countries. It could be good to You to understand Lithuanian language, because I have several articles on this theme. But there are plenty of European researchers developing this science. Excuse me for being so categoric and straightforward, but in short it is impossible to write in other, more sophisticated and flexible way..
Dear Antoni,
I have noticed in contemporary literature on European social model the tendency to describe situation like this - if Nordic countries retreat more from their universalistic-redistributive model, it will be easier for the rest of Europe to agree on common European model. So, Nordic countries are described like an obstacle for united position. I think, it is a very dangerous explanation. Because Nordic countries have already retreated from their former socialdemocratic model - and there is no move towards united position in Europe on this item. Also I think that this Nordic model had very important social justice elements which You simply can not reject if You want more humanistic relations.
Dear Antoni,
Nor political forces in the Western Europe, nor politicians in Eastern Europe really are striving for united European social model. They are striving for common economic goals, movements in the labour market and flexibility but not for common social affairs. Of course, there are plenty of directives of European Parliament, etc. on joint initiatives and policies, but very often they carry only ideological impact and not obligatory political measures. Social Policy as before is still left for national competencies and jurisdiction.
Yours truly,
Arvydas
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