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The Crisis of the European Social Model in the Adverse Environment of Globalization

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  • Javier Bilbao-Ubillos

Abstract

This paper examines the apparently adverse environment for the viability of the European Social Model (ESoM) and identifies the main factors relevant to the consolidation of the model. It first looks back at the way in which social issues have been dealt with by European Union (EU) institutions, then seeks to identify the main internal and external challenges facing the ESoM. The crisis and the exit strategy initially adopted in the EU (based on austerity policies) compounded these challenges and threatened the model. An interpretation of this crossroads and the foreseeable scenarios for the model are presented under alternative hypotheses with and without specific EU intervention. This paper adopts the globalization theory of the welfare state. Accordingly, its main hypothesis is that unless decisive action is taken by EU institutions the ESoM faces progressive erosion or dilution in a globalized economy. JEL Classification : I38, H53, F60, F15, F68

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Bilbao-Ubillos, 2021. "The Crisis of the European Social Model in the Adverse Environment of Globalization," Review of Radical Political Economics, Union for Radical Political Economics, vol. 53(3), pages 478-500, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:reorpe:v:53:y:2021:i:3:p:478-500
    DOI: 10.1177/0486613421997235
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Javier Bilbao-Ubillos, 2023. "The Social Dimension of the European Union: A Means to lock out Social Competition?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 267-281, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    European Social Model; crisis and the aftermath; globalization; EU governance of social issues; political economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • F60 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - General
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F68 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Policy

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