Factors of the EU Social Model’s Erosion

This article explores the factors contributing to the erosion of the EU social model and the underlying causes of the inefficacy of the Union's social policy. As the EU has to redefine its social priorities, the study analyses recent European Commission initiatives and proposals through the lens of sustainability and the evolution of the EU social model. The research is rooted in the concept of socio-economic models in Europe and employs a critical analysis of socio-political approaches to evaluate the Union's social efforts. Key supranational factors driving the erosion of the EU social model are identified, including the atomisation of the EU's social strategy, the compounded impact of successive crises, and the implications of the Ukrainian crisis. Special attention is given to the priorities of the current European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, and their influence on fostering a unified social policy approach among member states. The analysis also considers national factors, such as the diminishing effectiveness of national and regional social models due to integration pressures and adaptation to the post-industrial economy. Additionally, discrepancies between the attributes of these models and actual citizen well-being, as well as transnational social challenges, are highlighted. Two overarching trends in the social policies of the EU and its member states are examined: the increasing precarity of modern work and lifestyles, and the evolving role and significance of the family, which has driven the expansion of child-centered social policies. The article concludes that a misalignment between the EU's social policy priorities and the practical possibilities of unification fosters citizen dissatisfaction. Furthermore, the interplay between crisis dynamics and the emphasis on green and digital transitions will likely result in a dual approach: promoting austerity to sustain economic competitiveness while supporting the most vulnerable groups and sectors linked to green and digital technologies. Given that social policy is a cornerstone of the EU’s image among its citizens and external stakeholders, the erosion of the European social model risks undermining the Union's reputation as a guarantor of high social standards and resident well-being.

European Social Model, Social Europe, social models, European Pillar of Social Rights, social policy, European Union, social dimension of European integration, social justice, competitiveness