The Ethics of Capitalism - Social Europe Journal

Tasks of the New
European Commission
The Berlin Study
Group Europe of
the Friedrich-
Ebert-Stiftung
THE STUDY GROUP Europe of
the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has
drawn up a list of tasks to be
incorporated in the programme of the
new European Commission over the
next few years. Its detailed proposals
should serve as a blueprint for political
decision-making, as well as a set of
benchmarks for the European
Parliament and the European Council.
The following central policy areas
are addressed: the social dimension;
economic policy; taxation; financial
markets; public service provision; energy
and climate; a culture of civil rights,
security and freedom; migration and
integration; a Common Foreign and
Security Policy (CFSP); and European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
The financial and economic crisis
represents a window of opportunity for
an active European Commission. The
Barroso Commission has largely confined
itself to managing the EU rather
than acting as a driver of reform. The
new European Commission will have
to be measured by whether it will go
beyond the necessary crisis management.
What the EU needs is a longterm
paradigm shift towards a social
EU with a sustainable approach to the
economy and a global presence. This is
key to the EU maintaining its viability,
playing a role on the world stage and
re-inspiring EU citizens about the
European project.
1. The EU’s economic and social policy
needs a paradigm shift.
Economic, social and environmental
integration should no longer be
regarded as in conflict. The
European Commission ought to
produce a report laying out ‘The
Costs of a Non-Social Europe’ and
present proposals for a change of
course. This includes equal wages
and working conditions for the
same work at the same place.
Protection of employment rights
and the social dimension must be
brought to the top of the EU’s
agenda. Besides the Posted
Workers Directive this should also
be reflected in a social progress
clause in primary law.
‘The EU’s economic and social
policy needs a paradigm shift.
Economic, social and environmental
integration should no
longer be regarded as in conflict’
2. Employment policy and economic
policy must be given equal status
in a reorientation of the Lisbon
Process after 2010. The Integrated
Guidelines should be oriented in
particular towards promoting
research and development, as
well as fair and high quality education
systems, environmental
modernisation of the economy, a
positive linkage between wage
5 Social Europe Journal Summer 2009