Economics

The Eurozone crisis is driving further integration and exposing weaknesses in the Union’s structure. However, the need for reform shouldn’t be used as a cloak to introduce further neoliberal measures.

Na grofweg twee decennia van oppositie kwamen de sociaaldemocraten begin jaren negentig in Europa weer aan de macht.

‘Agenda 2010’ was presented by German Premier Gerard Schröder as a set of reforms that were a ‘third way’ between Social Democracy and neoliberalism.

While Poland presents itself to the outside world as a country untouched by the economic crisis, the reality is far different for an entire generation of Polish people. Rather than face up to the structural difficulties in the job market, the Government ignores the problem and remains committed to the doctrines of the neoliberal model.

A common prescription for crisis countries is to cut wage costs, but what if the problem is one of low wages in the core? From this perspective, current German polices will worsen the crisis and threaten the future of the Eurozone.

Responding to the third edition of the GEJ, ‘Beyond Growth/Degrowth’, this piece looks at the ecological movement’s relationship with modernity and science, and considers what implications this debate has for the Swedish Greens.

Tim Jackson’s ‘Prosperity Without Growth’ has been credited with reviving the debate over the merits of economic growth. This review describes it as a book that challenges orthodox economic thinking and which presents a path to a sustainable future.

The growth-degrowth debate is a non-issue that hampers a fundamental discussion on the reasons underlying the wish for (or against) economic growth.

The ongoing climate, resource and financial crises underscore the failure of a prosperity model based on growth and dependency on consumption.

Polish commentator Cezary Michalski likens Germany to a nuclear power plant – providing energy to Europe when working well, but a destructive force when it fails.