In many EU member states governed by the right and far right, citizens are suffering the continuous and consistent dismantling of public and social services, labour protections and rights. In complete opposition to the far right’s pro-workers rhetoric, once in government, they tend to adopt an increasingly paternalistic, identity-based and corporatist approach. These attacks on the welfare state contribute to further enriching the few while deepening inequalities for the many.
In this dossier, we propose three paradigmatic examples: Giorgia Meloni’s Italy; Hungary under Viktor Orbán’s steady control, and Finland, which has the most right-wing government since the 1930s. In essence – and contrary to the far right’s approach – welfare needs to be conceived of as not only ethically right, but as a common good that produces empowerment and boosts economic development.
