The global crisis further demonstrated the need to find a new equilibrium between the economic and the social dimensions within the European legal order, so to reconcile a functioning internal market with the welfare state. The creation of a ‘more social EU’ is a recurring mantra, but, notwithstanding some recent initiatives, such as the ‘Euro 2020’ strategy, the reforms introduced so far have been less than effective to this end. The chapter seeks to assess if, and the extent to which, the Treaty of Lisbon deals with this issue. In the light of the absence of any meaningful reform with regard to the EU normative competences in the social field, the analysis focuses on two other aspects. First, the increased relevance conferred to social objectives in the catalogue of aims to be pursued by the EU and, second, the granting of the same legal value as the Treaties to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and to the welfare rights contained therein. The objective is to examine the content of these innovations, in order to establish their impact on the balance between economic and social interests within the European integration process.

The Internal Market and the Welfare State: Anything New After Lisbon?

COSTAMAGNA, Francesco
2012-01-01

Abstract

The global crisis further demonstrated the need to find a new equilibrium between the economic and the social dimensions within the European legal order, so to reconcile a functioning internal market with the welfare state. The creation of a ‘more social EU’ is a recurring mantra, but, notwithstanding some recent initiatives, such as the ‘Euro 2020’ strategy, the reforms introduced so far have been less than effective to this end. The chapter seeks to assess if, and the extent to which, the Treaty of Lisbon deals with this issue. In the light of the absence of any meaningful reform with regard to the EU normative competences in the social field, the analysis focuses on two other aspects. First, the increased relevance conferred to social objectives in the catalogue of aims to be pursued by the EU and, second, the granting of the same legal value as the Treaties to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and to the welfare rights contained therein. The objective is to examine the content of these innovations, in order to establish their impact on the balance between economic and social interests within the European integration process.
2012
The Treaty of Lisbon and the Future of European Law and Policy
Edward Elgar
381
397
9780857932556
http://www.e-elgar.com/bookentry_main.lasso?id=14390
internal market; welfare state; European Union; social market economy; social rights
F. Costamagna
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/106401
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