EU social-policy governance: advocating activism or servicing states?

Abstract

This article examines the implications of EU governance tools for social activism in Europe, specifically whether benchmarking, best practices, the open method of co-ordination, or mainstreaming delimit the kinds of activism non-governmental and other organizations can pursue under EU auspices. This is possible because EU governance models give member states ultimate discretion on the design and implementation of EU social policies, and EU governance principles are based on specific normative commitments. I explore whether EU governance therefore renders activist confrontation of states unlikely, constrains policy participants' learning, particularly of perceived radical lessons, or allows only state-led challenges to market and social structures. To the extent that any of these dynamics entails EU governance, the models should be viewed with caution, and European social activists should be prepared to choose between conceding to state agendas or working outside EU governance margins. Cases include EU gender and social inclusion policies.

Keywords:

• Activism
• benchmarking
• EU
• governance
• open method of co-ordination
• social policy