European Regulation and National Social Policies: A Growing Gap

Before the Delors Commission the European Union only minimally regulated social policy because member governments regarded their welfare states as essential parts of national cohesion. Member governments have varied in their non-implementation of European Union's regulations as well as used their influence in the Council to block or modify them. The European Court of Justice has achieved some uniformity in social regulation. Between 'social partners' increasing recourse to marketisation, deregulation and self-regulation have favoured employer and taxpayer interests against those of employees and citizens generally. The financial austerity imposed has led to nationally variable retrenchment in health and pension services. Adapted from the source document.