Facing a dilemma

The call for a European social policy places Europe in front of a dilemma. On the one hand, the policies that have been negotiated and realized on the basis of present treaties bear consequences in the social field. On the other, the Union does not have the competence, or possesses it in a very limited measure, regarding the organization of the social situation and the social security of its citizens. Moreover, all the efforts of the past twenty years pertaining to the reform of the Treaties, were not able to modify anything substantial, although they have brought about a present situation where greater attention is given to the social dimension in the definition of community policies. The opposition comes above all from the political and social forces of member States with high standards of development who fear that the levels of their systems could be lowered through Europeanization, or that the expenses necessary for a general rise in the level of standards could lead to unjustifiable debts. The opposition to Europeanization of social policies however has a deeper motivation. In fact, the policies and methods that have been developed in the most part of national European States in the course of their history, and which aim at creating a network of protection for people, particularly in the cases of unemployment, poverty, illness and age, are perceived as the expression of national identity and are subject to the principle of subsidiarity. They are founded on national solidarity, on which citizens can rely because their stability has endured throughout decades, withstanding wars and crises.But this is not yet the case of European solidarity because a European identity (in terms of a natural awareness of persons within the member States, of being citizens of the European Union who therefore enjoy its support and protection in every way) is acquired only gradually. We should not ignore the fact that the development of a European identity and a relative sentiment of solidarity undergoes substantive slowing down with each successive enlargement of the Union itself. If we reflect on this background we can understand why the question of an active and independent European social policy is so sensitive and why, for example in the referendums for the ratification of the European Constitution and the Treaty of Reform in France, Holland and also Ireland, fears of losing something with respect to current norms in these nations regarding social policies, have taken on such a determining role – even if rules of social policy are not mentioned either in the Constitution nor in the Treaty of Reform. The impression that we are facing a reality in transformation reveals, however, that a transformation is coming about. Ever more frequently there are expectations from the European Union of social services that can no longer be guaranteed by member States because their social systems, for many reasons, above all because of general globalization and the aging of the population, are under strong pressure for the enactment of reforms which lead to a reduction of the habitual services. Therefore, it becomes increasingly urgent for the Union to extricate itself from the dilemma mentioned. The method adapted by the European Commission to influence the organization of the social dimension consists in the “European social agenda”, presented the beginning of last July. This unites a series of strategies and measures which can be realized in collaboration with the member States, the social partners and the other interested parties, in order to make progress in several areas of priority.