Labour markets and welfare states in Europe

Course goals

• have acquired knowledge of and are familiar with different theories and types of welfare state regimes, economic theories on the relation between labour markets and welfare state arrangements as well as its relevant legal dimensions;
• are able to analyse labour market and welfare state related issues in the EU from an economic, political and legal perspective;
• are able to connect the insights from politics and governance, economics, and law into a coherent analysis of EU social policies in relation to topical cases.

 

Content

Taking away barriers to free movement and to competition are main objectives of the European Union (EU). Additionally, the EU has the objective to promote social aims, including the protection against poverty and social exclusion. For this latter purpose, several EU policy instruments exist to counter the iThe vision for a social pillar seems to put the European Union upon a trajectory toward a pan-European welfare state. But can the diverse welfare states of the EU integrate into a homogeneous whole?
This course will examine the political, economic and legal accomplishments toward and challenges for attaining this policy objective. We will examine the possibilities by looking at the actual accomplishments or lack thereof. A central reoccurring theme is the tension between a common EU policy and existing heterogeneity between member states.
To offer a more comprehensive understanding, we will explore these current developments from three distinct disciplinary perspectives and place them in conversation with one another. The three disciplines are: Politics, Economics and Law. Politics focuses on the powers of political and administrative actors in Europe’s multi-level regime. Economics on capitalist logics and tensions of efficient and equitable market(s) within the EU. And Law on the hard and soft legal instruments and competences division within the EU.
After presenting core disciplinary perspectives separately, we will together explore the multiple dimensions of concrete cases. The disciplines offer distinct perspectives on pressing issues, such as gender equality laws, AI and the labour market, and the platform economy. But how far do the disciplines align and complement or clash and contradict one another when analysing these themes? By exploring EU policies, we can examine and simultaneously explore the added value of the disciplines and establishing whether the construction of a EU social pillar is translating into a pan-European welfare state or something different.

Finally, you will explore your own cases. You are challenged to present the relevant perspectives from each discipline, and connect these insights into a coherent analysis. Such an interdisciplinary academic analysis can act as the foundation for sound policy advise.