Social Cohesion Research and Early Warning
| Series of publications Trends in social cohesion |
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The series of publications “Trends in social cohesion” was launched in order to provide a forum for observation and analysis of the developments taking place on matters of social cohesion in the Council of Europe member states and non-member states.
Each issue will address important aspects concerning
social protection and social cohesion. |
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We are at a point in history where economic inequalities are more widespread each day. The situation of extreme poverty experienced by the majority of the populations in developing countries ("Third World" countries) often coincides with an absence of democracy and the violation of the most fundamental rights. But in so-called "First World" countries a non-negligible proportion of inhabitants also live in impoverished conditions (albeit mainly "relative" poverty) and are denied their rights. The European situation, which this publication aims to analyse, is painful: the entire continent is afflicted by increasing poverty and consequently by the erosion of living conditions and social conflicts. |
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These reflections on the sharing of social responsibilities as proposed by the Council of Europe pave the way for asserting concepts and forms of behaviour that, while acknowledging differences in status and authority, can nevertheless promote multiple opportunities for deliberation, joint decision making, co-operation and reciprocity between stakeholders. If we are to avoid conflict and destruction in the face of growing interdependence, it is essential to reformulate current social choices, ensuring that social, intergenerational and environmental justice lie at their very heart. |
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The need to develop collective skills to acquire a shared long-term vision and to manage change is
evident, given that resources are limited and there is no such thing as complete independence or
immunity from the damaging effects of other people’s acts or failures to act.
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Europe is bearing the brunt of globalisation. Alongside population movements on an unprecedented scale, awareness of our interdependence and competition for natural resources are increasing. These changes affect institutions, individuals and all kinds of authority, but also, more decisively, public opinion. People have a vague sense of insecurity, fear and anxiety, fuelling doubts about the future: never before in the modern era has confidence been so lacking. This anxiety is spreading across Europe. The deterioration of the global ecosystem and the unfair distribution of goods have created inequalities and social injustice. Unemployment levels are soaring and debt is increasing for households – including those whose members work – and states alike. Weakened by the recent financial crisis, states are hard put to preserve the social protection provided since the Second World War. Against this background, the Council of Europe has asked several noted intellectuals about their vision for the future, inviting them to share their thoughts in order to spark a debate on how to envisage societal progress and ways of living together. |
 No. 21 - Institutional accommodation and the citizen: legal and political interaction in a pluralist society The question of accommodations that institutions and citizens must make to ensure social cohesion in pluralist societies is of concern to the Council of Europe. How will we live and interact together in diversity? It is becoming increasingly important to provide responses and devise innovative frameworks (in the legal sphere, in national education and training in competences and in institutional practice) which can help build a shared vision while at the same time respecting each individual. By comparing European and Canadian responses, among others, the articles featured in this volume explore this complex issue. They contribute to a major social debate and outline a vision of the future that allows us to set aside mutual suspicion and develop institutional arrangements and forms of social interaction capable of making diversity a factor for progress, well-being and social justice. They also remind us that poverty combined with stigmatisation based on identity leads to stasis, social malaise and an increase in security measures, which ultimately prevent societies from evolving through risk-taking, shared responsibility, dialogue and consultation. |
 No. 20 - Well-being for all - Concepts and tools for social cohesion (2008) The concepts of well-being for
all and of responsibility borne by all are fundamental to the definition of
social cohesion propounded by the Council of Europe and bring a new
dimension to the ideas of freedom, choice and preference. All the articles
in this volume come together to demonstrate the importance of not only the
tangible but also the intangible dimensions of well-being, and more
specifically, each person's recognition of their role as an actor in
society. This recognition is pivotal for advancing progresses conducive to
well-being founded on mutual responsibility. The way in which
responsibilities are apportioned probably contributes to the widening or
maintenance of gaps between the sense of well-being and the material
dimensions of well-being observed in modern societies. This volume tries to
suggest ways in which we can develop inclusive and concerted opinions on the
subject of well-being (taking into consideration common goods) as a tool for
improving social cohesion.
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 No. 19 - Reconciling migrants' well-being and the public interest -
Welfare state, firms and citizenship in transition (2008)
Even though the work place has become significantly more flexible in the former
socialist countries of central and eastern Europe, the ideas on “flexicurity”
and strategies of reconciliation are usually only developed in the context of
the western European welfare states. However, when considering the differences
of the transformation process, it is clearly indispensable to go beyond a
one-size-fits-all strategy. The realities of central and eastern Europe and
their social institutional systems must I taken into account.
This volume contributes to filling this gap and to starting a pan-European
reflection on the concepts and issues of labour flexibility and social cohesion.
It contributes to the understanding| the specificities of certain realities in|
central and eastern Europe, including Turkey, in order to conceive adequate
strategies for conciliation.
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No. 18 - Achieving social cohesion in a multicultural Europe -
Concepts, situation and developments (2007)
The development of social cohesion in a multicultural Europe is a key political
objective, both vital and attainable, for our modern societies. It can be
achieved by transcending the limits of so-called "integration" policies, particularly
when they take the form of unilateral processes in which migrants and their
descendants are not acknowledged as partners in decisions concerning them.
Far from considering the integration problems faced by migrants to be the
result of alleged "cultural incompatibility", the articles and conversations
in this volume reflect on the combined effects of exclusion stemming from
social policy and policy on immigration, employment and nationality. Furthermore,
as "intercultural competencies" developed in certain hospitals and schools
have clearly shown, there are other, much more effective strategies for treating
differences in a favourable light which make social rights more accessible
to all.
These alternative approaches can effectively help to foster social cohesion
only if migrants themselves are committed to them, in particular as recognised
political players in the European public arena.
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Even though the work place has become significantly more flexible in the former
socialist countries of central and eastern Europe, the ideas on “flexicurity”
and strategies of reconciliation are usually only developed in the context of
the western European welfare states.
However, when considering the differences
of the transformation process, it is clearly indispensable to go beyond a
one-size-fits-all strategy. The realities of central and eastern Europe and
their social institutional systems must I taken into account.This volume contributes to filling this gap and to starting a pan-European
reflection on the concepts and issues of labour flexibility and social cohesion.
It contributes to the understanding| the specificities of certain realities in|
central and eastern Europe, including Turkey, in order to conceive adequate
strategies for conciliation.
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This
second volume on labour flexibility deals with the possibilities for reconciliation
with social cohesion. Following the Council of Europe's Forum 2005: Reconciling
labour flexibility with social cohesion, it aims to present ideas useful
for political action.
The previous volume offers a broad description of the challenge labour
flexibility represents for social cohesion, but makes it clear that with
an effective reconciliation strategy the European social model can be
strengthened for the future.
How can this be done? What framework and context
are necessary for such reconciliation? How can flexicurity arrangements
that best meet the objectives of social cohesion be attained?
The authors of this volume attempt to find answers to these questions. |
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This
volume on labour flexibility questions the effects on social cohesion
of labour market administrative and organisational reforms. The Council
of Europe is seeking conciliation between the inevitable changes wrought
by globalisation, i.e. reorganisation of the parameters of competition,
and social cohesion.
This conciliation should take into account the essential political value
of democratic security. This security is to be found firstly in employment;
the high social and societal cost of precariousness attests to this. However,
security should not imply rigidityand rather translate it into societal
recognition of a “right to transition” which calls for co-responsibility
of all stakeholders.
Conciliation is more than a political duty: it is the cost of the stability
required for social sustainability. It should therefore raise awareness
of the need to find new ways of sharing fairly the costs and benefits
generated by the transitions.
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This
volume, which argues in favour of pursuing a public-private dialogue on
citizen's commitment in economic activities in order to enhance social
cohesion in Europe, supplements the analyses to be found in Trends Nr.12.
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This volume pursues the Council of Europe's discussion on developments in social security, focusing on the consequences of the recent reforms of old-age pension schemes in Europe and taking a closer look at the repercussions of private funding of old-agepensions on social cohesion and equality between women and men. Also read Trends in social cohesion nr. 2 dealing with old-age pension and health care financing systems in Europe in the 1990's. |
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Drawing
inspiration from the Council of Europe Strategy for social cohesion, this
volume analyses from different angles the new forms of economic solidarity
and responsibility which European citizens are setting in place to respond
to the modern-day challenges of human and environmental vulnerability.
Some legal concepts and frameworks are emerging here in response to these
ethical, solidarity-based initiatives which must be read with this basic
question in mind: is it possible to give a “political” meaning (in the
sense of polis , the common good, or social cohesion) to individual
economic choices?
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This
volume is intended to supplement the analyses provided in Volume Nr. 10.
It contains ideas concerning two questions relating to the effects of
the feeling of insecurity on social cohesion: why does modern European
society – where solidarity and collective identity are an integral part
of the heritage – create a sometimes seemingly irrational demand for security?
Do we have the institutional and political means to dispel the feelings
of insecurity and fear that are taking hold in our societies as globalisation
progresses?
The texts presented suggest that we should refrain from stigmatising,
criminalising, “ghetto-ising” and finding scapegoats, and call on us to
find ways to dispel the fear (of others) which divides us and to open
up our societies to initiatives leading to the globalisation of solidarity,
while recognising everyone's rights and leaving all stereotypes behind.
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Without
denying the importance of law and order, this volume makes the point that
guaranteeing people's right to live in security requires a long-term strategy
to strengthenjustice, social bonds and community life. Otherwise there
is a risk that positive cohesion, based on acceptance of mutual reponsibility
and solidarity, will give way to negative cohesion, based on fear and
the raising of barriers against groups perceived as a threat.
In defining social cohesion as “the capacity of a society to ensure the
welfare of all its members, minimising disparities and avoiding polarisation”,
the Council of Europe is saying that everyone has the right to live in
security. If citizens feel they cannot expect a reasonably secure future,
society as a whole will lack cohesion and stability.
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This
volume is looking in more depth at the “integration” of young people in
disadvantaged urban ares. A comparative analysis of “difficult” neighbourhoods
in six European cities and a detailed study of a special project conducted
in the Spanish district of Naples highlight that only co-ordinated multi-agency
efforts, combined with innovative approaches adapted to the specific context,
can restore dignity to the younger members of such communities and enable
them to build a life project.
The two articles in this volume reflect the Council of Europe's approach,
which consists in seeking responses to everyday violence in the urban
setting while not losing sight of its commitment as an organisation to
human rights, social cohesion and democracy. Using violence to smother
violence merely generates even more violence. Given that observable fact,
the Council of Europe advocates renewal of public-private dialogue and
building bridges between warring worlds.
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No 8 - Youth and exclusion in disadvantaged urban areas: addressing the causes of violence Two
major reports on violence and social exclusion in disadvantaged urban
areas are highlighted in this volume. They examine the policies, processes
and measures undertaken to overcome social exclusion and build social
cohesion, particularly among young people. Both reports provide examples
of good practice, lessons learnt and possible next steps.
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This
volume presents the second part of the debates of the Forum 2002 on New
Social Responsibility in a Globalising World: the Role of the State, the
Marquet and Civil Society.
While Trends nr.6 concentrated on the new roles of the state, this volume
examines some of the many citizens' initiatives for ethical social responsibility.
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This
volume presents some of the outcomes of the Forum on New Social Responsibility
in a Globalising World: the Role of the State, the Marquet and Civil Society,
held in Strasbourg in October 2002. The forum was intended to help clarify
the impact of globalisation on redefining the way social responsibility
is understood and exercised at state, market and civil society levels.
Social responsibility not only concerns the freedom and independence of
individuals or bodies: it is also a factor in collective well-being in just
and ballanced societies. At the same time it covers the idea of coexistence,
co-operation and the need for participation by all individuals.
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Combating poverty and guaranteeing access to social rights are major
issues in the countries of the South Caucasus (Armenia , Azerbaijan and
Georgia).
Concerned with drawing the attention of member states to the need to regnise
human dignity, the Council of Europe has decided to support a territorial
approach in the South Caucasus , involving mayors and local officials
from the European Union and central Europe. This publication analyses
the initial results of the experiment in the hope that it will open a
debate on the institutional and individual commitments which combating
poverty involves.
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This volume presents the findings of the Forum on New Social Demands and
Governance, held in 2001.
The forum made an important contribution to the much-needed reflection
on setting up new institutional frameworks and creating new practices
of social dialogue and partnerships, vital in order to encourage interaction
between new social demands, public debate and political responses.
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This volume sets out to address key issues: it explores the nature and scope of the problem of poverty; it examines the political responses to poverty (examples of different
countries); it investigates the existence and use of various definitions and thresholds
applied to poverty in policy making; it also examines the variations within income transfers, i.e. social benefits
designed to prevent or alleviate poverty and material hardship; it explores the effectiveness of benefit schemes in reducing poverty.
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This
volume focuses upon the common solutions and concepts developed to the
challenges Council of Europe member states are facing concerning old-age
pension and health-care financing.
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This
first volume is devoted to the initial results of the Network of Social
Researchers which was set up in 2001 by the Directorate General of Social
Cohesion of the Council of Europe. The network aims to build bridges between
the research undertaken and the policies elaborated in the fights against
social exclusion.
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N°25
- Redefining and Combating Poverty: Human Rights, Democracy and
Common Goods in Today's Europe 
No. 24
- Shared social responsibility: putting theory into practice
No. 23
- Towards a Europe of shared social responsibilities: challenges and strategies 
No. 22
- Rethinking progress and ensuring a secure future for all: what we
can learn from the crisis 
No. 17 - Reconciling
labour flexibility with social cohesion - The experiences and specificities of
central and eastern Europe (2007)
No. 13 - Retirement income:
recent developments and proposals
No. 2 – Trends and developments in
old-age pension and health-care financing in Europe during the 1990s
