European Economic Democracy A new path out of the crisis

This paper discusses the challenges that the EU faces in relation to economic democracy and […]

28/06/2019

This paper discusses the challenges that the EU faces in relation to economic democracy and work. The first part of this paper looks at the need for political alternatives against the background of the failure of current strategies to tackle the increasing social and economic inequalities that have been exacerbated by the financial, economic and social crisis that started in 2008. It proposes that fostering ´economic democracy´ should be a cornerstone of the social democratic strategy in Europe, tracing the history and theory of the concept as well as its possibilities and limitations.

The second part of the paper looks at the existing situation of different tools for economic democracy in Europe, with a particular focus on cooperatives. It firstly explores the empirical implications of economic democracy through the example of cooperatives. It then looks at what policies could be pursued on a European level to support cooperatives, and also briefly looks at the policies that could be implemented to expand economic democracy beyond the development of the cooperative sector. It then discusses the limitations in theory and practice to this policy solution. Finally, it highlights some initiatives which a progressive European political movement could put on the agenda in order promote social justice and democratic accountability at the work place.

Read the study

Network
Karl Renner Institut
Find all related publications
Publications
22/11/2023

The macro-economic impact of the cost crisis

Lessons for Europe
18/09/2023

Making trade work for prosperity, people and planet

FEPS Primers series - Arancha González and Yanis Bourgeois
01/09/2023

Bidding farewell to workfare?

Recovery Watch series
09/06/2023

Governing the RRF

Recovery Watch series
Find all related events
Events
Upcoming
07/12/2023
European Parliament (Hybrid)

A blueprint for a Social and Green Deal

Follow-up Event of the Beyond Growth Conference
Past
06/11/2023
FEPS HQ

The future of work in Europe

Implications for equity and growth in Europe
08/11/2023
Brussels, Belgium

Social investments for resilient economies and societies

EU fiscal rules fit for future
Find all related news
News
29/11/2023

Economic Democracy

FEPS has launched an initiative on Economic Democracy
09/10/2023

Tax the rich

A European Citizens' Initiative
14/09/2023

Call for tender – Researcher on inflation

This call for tender closed on 03/10/23
20/02/2023

Let’s end involuntary unemployment!

European survey on the perception of unemployment and publicly funded jobs
Find all related in the media
In the media

“Trade doesn’t work in isolation from good domestic policies” Interview to Arancha González

by Borderlex 19/09/2023
Interview to Arancha González, former Spanish foreign minister, who released together with FEPS the new book entitled 'The Trade Handbook: Making Trade Work for Prosperity, People and Planet'

A szociális unió imperatívusza

by Új Egyenlőség 09/09/2023
'The imperative of Social Union'. Article about FEPS book 'Europe’s Social Integration: Welfare Models and Economic Transformations' by László Andor.

Após 66 anos de adiamentos, a barragem do Pisão entrou em contra-relógio

by Pùblico 19/08/2023
'After 66 years of postponements, the Pisão dam has entered a race against time' Pùblico's article mentions FEPS Policy Study 'Governing the RRF'

Ukrainian economy and society: whither the (postwar) country?

by Commons 16/06/2023
In Commons' article, Yuliya Yurchenko, co-author of FEPS’ book 'Europe and the war in Ukraine', outlines the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine for the Ukrainian population and the plans needed for Ukraine's recovery.