European solidarity and social class. An uneasy alliance

ABSTRACT

In response to various crises and a growing Eurosceptic electorate, the European Union (EU) has taken steps to implement solidarity measures aimed at mitigating economic risks and inequalities among member states and their citizens. However, the social basis of support for such redistributive policies in a supranational context remains largely unexplored, despite the ongoing relevance of social class for crucial political outcomes related to European integration.To address this gap, this article distinguishes between transnational and member state solidarity, scrutinizing how the post-industrial division of social classes shapes these two dimensions of European solidarity. The research reveals that the post-industrial structure of social classes, significantly affects both forms of European solidarity, independent of attitudes toward redistribution and European integration. Furthermore, it highlights the transformative potential of supranational redistribution in fostering political support and social cohesion among production workers manifesting exclusive national identities.

KEYWORDS:

• European solidarity
• social class
• redistribution
• exclusive nationalism

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Zsofia Ignacz, from the University of Frankfurt and the anonymous reviewers for their comments and feedback.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/07036337.2024.2318550

Notes

1. https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eurogroup-to-discuss-eu-wide-unemployment-reinsurance-scheme/;

2. The proportion of variance explained by indirect effects is calculated as the ratio between proportion between the beta (standardised) coefficients of indirect effects and the beta coefficients of total effects

3. EUCROSS. The Europeanisation of Everyday Life: Cross-border Practices and Transnational Identities among EU and Third-Country Citizens. European Commission FP7 Research Framework. 2011–2014. PI: Ettore Recchi.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the European Commission [MSCA-IF fellowship, Grant number 840360].