Archived version

Amidst geopolitical shifts, the notion that Europe must choose between security and social support is not only politically dangerous but also economically unsound.

[This is an opinionated piece by Anton Hemerijck, Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the European University Institute and a frequent adviser to the European Commission, and Manos Matsaganis, Professor of Public Finance at Polytechnic University of Milan, and Head of the Greek & European Economy Programme at the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy ELIAMEP in Athens.]

…

These are extraordinary times, which is precisely why we must remain resolute. Europe possesses significant strengths, and a robust and cherished welfare state that invests in human capital is one of them. Depriving it of tax revenue would be a gift to Europe’s enemies. Instead, we should maintain (and modernise) social assistance and pension benefits, and invest generously in childcare, parental leave, lifelong learning, health, and long-term care.

Those who believe that now is not the time to discuss social investment should reconsider. After all, the aftermath of the Second Battle of El Alamein (October-November 1942), when the outcome of World War II was still uncertain, hardly seemed like an opportune moment to discuss building a welfare state. Yet, that is precisely what British troops in North Africa and elsewhere did, at numerous improvised conferences just a few kilometres from the front lines. The Beveridge Report, fresh from the Ministry of Information press, was meticulously presented by officers and eagerly read by soldiers. Sceptics at the War Office and elsewhere had to acknowledge that fostering the realistic expectation of a fairer post-war social order actually strengthened the war effort, rather than detracting from it.

Sceptics should take note.