The preconditions for reducing social inequality in Europe
The preconditions for reducing social inequality in Europe

Author(s): Jeremy Leaman
Subject(s): Politics, Economy, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, National Economy, Supranational / Global Economy, Sociology, Labor relations, Economic policy, Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Economic development, Law on Economics, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting, Globalization, EU-Legislation
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Poznaniu
Keywords: European Union;crisis 2008+;social inequality;EU taxation policy;
Summary/Abstract: Author, building on the contributions of Messkoub and others, assesses the particular challenges of reversing the trend within European societies towards greater inequalities of income and wealth. Beyond the intellectual challenge of weakening the grip of disciplinary neoliberalism on both policy elites and many elements of European political culture, the trust of a progressive social agenda has to address the widening disparities of 'market incomes' as an issue of public policy, as well as the fiscal implications of a system of asymmetrical mutuality (Messkoub). Recent taxation policy has tolerated divergence among member state tax systems, encouraging both inter-state tax competition and weakening the fiscal potential for neutralising chronic social disparities. Reversing this trend and establishing sustainable and progressive systems of public goods and public finance is a critical precondition for the survival of the European project.

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