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In his new book, Winning the Future. How Europe and Social Democracy Can Overcome their Crises Together, Joaquín Almunia analyzes the causes and consequences of the European Union’s economic and political crisis and its parallels with the challenges Social Democracy has faced. The grave crisis that Europe endured was not met with the appropriate policy response and led to the growth of inequality, hitting the middle-class and youth especially hard. Today, one in five Europeans are at the risk of social exclusion and job insecurity seems to be the only alternative to chronic and widespread unemployment.
Almost ten years after the start of the crisis, the European Union struggles with weak economic growth, unsatisfactory unemployment levels and low-quality jobs, a flux of migrants and refugees in need, and the threat of terrorism. All of this has resulted in a disaffected population that distrusts its democratic European and national institutions. In turn, Social Democracy was not able to provide answers during Europe’s time of crisis and it has remained incapable of providing viable progressive solutions in education, fiscal policy, employment, productivity and immigration. As a result, its proposals have not been met with support from voters. During this event, Almunia will point the way forward for both European Integration and Social Democracy.
Speaker: Joaquín Almunia, European Commissioner for Competition (2010-2014); Visiting Professor in Practice, London School of Economics and Political Science
Sponsors: RCC; Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies; EU Law and Government Study Group; Jean Monnet ad Personam Chair in European Union Law and Government
Location: Goldman Room, Adolphus Busch Hall, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies