European Social Policies

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The lectures will combine the expository method about the subjects of the syllabus with participatory methods that stimulate an autonomous work by the students and the development of their analytical, communicational and teamwork skills. To this end students are encouraged to reflect on the presence of the themes of this curricular unit in the media and should develop and present a group work where they mobilize their learning for the analysis of themes and challenges of European social policy. We may invite experts about these themes.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the debates on European integration, the policies, institutions and actors of the European governance of social policies and how it influences national policies.

Students should be aware of the evolution of European governance of social policies and able to relate it to the qualitative changes of the welfare state. They should identify the internal variety of the European social model and understand the interaction between European social policies and national welfare models, particularly in southern Europe. They should develop practical skills to mobilize sources of quantitative and qualitative information to reflect critically on the current challenges to the European social model.

Generally, the aim is to develop analytical and discursive competences related to the field of European social policies and their current challenges as well as students capacity for argumentation and collaboration. 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The Welfare State and Social Policies

What are social policies? Are there European social policies?

The analysis of social policy: between theory and practice

From policies to indicators

From emergency to criticism and crisis of the welfare state

From the welfare state to the social investment state

Welfare pluralism and the third sector

2. The social dimension of European integration

The institutional landmarks of the European Social Model

Transformations and Challenges in the European Social Model

The governance of European social policy

European Citizenship and the European Pillar of Social Rights

The Europeanization of social policies

3. Variety in the European Social Model

Social Policies and Social Protection Regimes

Varieties of welfare mixes

Welfare State in Southern Europe

Social policies and social welfare in Portugal

4. Old and new themes and challenges for European Social Policy.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Periodic or by final exam as given in the course information : 100.0%

Bibliography

Béland, D., Morgan, K.J., Obinger, H. and Pierson, C. (eds) (2022), The Oxford Handbook of the Welfare State. Oxford University Press.

European Commission (2021) SPC annual review of the Social Protection Performance Monitor (SPPM) and developments in social protection policies, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

Kennett, P. e Lendvai-Bainton, N. (orgs) (2018), Handbook of European Social Policy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Magone, J.M. (2021) Constraining Democratic Governance in Southern Europe: From ‘Superficial’ to ‘Coercive’ Integration. Edward Elgar.

Nugent, N., The government and politics of the European Union, 8th ed., Basingstoke : Palgrave  Macmillan

Spicker, Paul (2014) Social policy: theory and practice, The Policy Press. 

Schröder, Martin (2013) Integrating Varieties of Capitalism and Welfare State Research. A Unified Typology of Capitalisms. Palgrave MacMillan.