Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 06/2014

The case for a European social union

Frank Vandenbroucke

March 2014

EGMONT – The Royal Institute for International Relations

Abstract

This Policy Brief discusses the notion of a ‘European Social Union’, in which European countries would cooperate with an explicit social purpose. A European Social Union should not be seen as an idealistic bridge too far. Instead, a Social Union is both desirable and necessary for the eurozone and wider European integration.