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Understanding eco-social policies: a proposed definition and typology

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  • Matteo Mandelli

Abstract

As complex challenges like climate change and inequality become increasingly salient, eco-social policies are emerging as suitable public policy instruments to pursue integrated environmental and social objectives. However, despite their rising relevance, a descriptive – and hence empirically applicable – definition is still lacking in the reference literature, currently dominated by normative studies. Therefore, building on a critical assessment of the state of the art, this article proposes a framework for conceptualising eco-social policies, calling for an output-based definition with policy integration as its core element. The article also proposes a typology to differentiate various eco-social policies along two dimensions: the direction of policy integration and the link to economic growth. This typology allows us to elaborate on the possible roles that the welfare state can play vis-à -vis environmental challenges and policies, for instance in the context of decarbonisation: reactive or preventive; protection- or investment-oriented.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Mandelli, 2022. "Understanding eco-social policies: a proposed definition and typology," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 28(3), pages 333-348, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:28:y:2022:i:3:p:333-348
    DOI: 10.1177/10242589221125083
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    Cited by:

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    2. François, Martin & Mertens de Wilmars, Sybille & Maréchal, Kevin, 2023. "Unlocking the potential of income and wealth caps in post-growth transformation: A framework for improving policy design," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    3. Béla Galgóczi & Philippe Pochet, 2022. "Introduction. Welfare states confronted by the challenges of climate change: a short review of the issues and possible impacts," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 28(3), pages 307-316, August.

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