Social Europe Podcast

In this conversation, Henning Meyer and Mark Blyth discuss the implications of Trump's presidency for the European Union, focusing on potential trade policies, economic repercussions, and the rise of populism. They explore the uncertainty surrounding Trump's administration, the need for the EU to adapt strategically, and the challenges posed by internal divisions within Europe. The discussion also touches on the necessity of public administration reform to address pressing issues such as housing and immigration, and the long-term consequences of America's carbon-focused policies. This podcast episode is part of the Social Europe - Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Projekt "EU Forward: Shaping European Policy in the second half of the 2020s".

In this episode of the Social Europe Podcast, Henning Meyer and Almut Möller discuss the evolving landscape of European foreign and security policy as we enter 2025. They discuss the concept of strategic autonomy, the challenges posed by external threats such as Russia's aggression, and the internal divisions among EU member states. The conversation highlights the urgent need for a unified approach to security and defence, the impact of populism and external actors like Elon Musk, and the importance of collaboration with allies, particularly the UK. Both speakers emphasise the necessity for the EU to adapt its policies and strategies to ensure its future viability and effectiveness in a rapidly changing global environment. This podcast episode is part of the Social Europe - Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Projekt "EU Forward: Shaping European Policy in the second half of the 2020s".

In this episode of Social Europe Podcast, Professor Anand Menon of Kings College London and Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Professor Henning Meyer discuss the recent changes in the UK-EU relationship under the new UK government led by Sir Keir Starmer. They explore the implications of Labour's policy priorities, the tone of diplomatic relations, and the potential for bilateral initiatives, particularly in defence. The discussion also covers trade agreements, economic cooperation, and the challenges posed by regulatory divergence in emerging technologies. They conclude by examining the future of UK-EU relations amidst political dynamics and external pressures, including the war in Ukraine.

In this episode of Social Europe Podcast, Professor Peter A. Hall of Harvard University and Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Professor Henning Meyer explore the evolving landscape of populism in Western democracies. Reflecting on the economic and cultural factors that have contributed to its rise, they discuss the importance of perceptions of fairness and uncertainty about the future as key drivers of support for populist parties. The conversation also delves into the emotional aspects of immigration politics and the differing motivations behind support for left and right populism. Finally, they assess the health of Western democracies and the challenges mainstream political parties face in regaining public trust and addressing the grievances that fuel populism.

Around the world, education 'reforms' have made schooling more market-mimicking and competitive, rendering education a 'club good' for the better off. Finland shows how treating education as a public good and teachers as autonomous professionals brings better student performance overall, without intrusive and expensive inspection.

Philipp Ther, professor of central-European history at the University of Vienna and director of its Research Centre for the History of Transformations, talks to Robin Wilson of Social Europe about how societies which show hospitality to refugees in the long run benefit from their openness. Prof Ther is author of The Outsiders: Refugees in Europe Since 1492 (Princeton University Press).

Albena Azmanova is an associate professor in political and social thought at the University of Kent’s Brussels School of International Studies and author most recently of Capitalism on Edge: How Fighting Precarity can Achieve Radical Change without Crisis or Utopia (Columbia University Press). She talks to Robin Wilson, acting editor-in-chief of Social Europe.

Thomas Piketty is a French economist who is professor of economics at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), associate chair at the Paris School of Economics and centennial professor of economics in the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics.

Vivien A. Schmidt, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, Professor of International Relations, and Professor of Political Science at Boston University talks to Social Europe about Europe's crisis of legitimacy and the interrelationship between democratic legitimacy at the European level and the ongoing Eurozone crisis.

Mary Daly, professor of sociology and social policy at the University of Oxford and author of Gender Inequality and Welfare States in Europe, talks to Social Europe about how applying a gender lens changes our understanding of the welfare state and how it should be reconstructed after the pandemic.

Listen to the latest episode of Social Europe Talk on the politics surrounding the negotiations of the EU's next multiannual financial framework and the Recovery Plan. The show, hosted by Social Europe's editor Robin Wilson, brought together Margarida Marques (Member of the European Parliament and co-rapporteur on the MFF), Kimmo Kiljunen (Member of the Grand Committee at the Parliament of Finland) and Miguel Costa Matos (Member of the Portuguese National Parliament and rapporteur on Own Resources). The show was organised in cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Europe office.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with Gabriel Zucman. They discuss wealth and income inequality as well as potential policy solution to address the widening gap between rich and poor. Gabriel Zucman is the Director of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Wealth and Income Inequality at the University of California at Berkeley. He received his PhD in 2013 from the Paris School of Economics and taught at the London School of Economics before joining the Berkeley faculty in 2015. You might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with Friederike Otto. They discuss man-made climate change and its impact on weather events as well as potential policy reactions to deal with the threat. Friederike Otto is the Acting Director of the Environmental Change Institute and an Associate Professor in the Global Climate Science Programme at the University of Oxford. She leads several projects understanding the impacts of man-made climate change on natural and social systems. You might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with David Webber. They discuss the potential (institutional) power of working class shareholders and how this power could be used to further working class interests. David Webber is Associate Dean for Intellectual Life and Professor of Law at Boston University Law School. You might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with Kimberly Clausing. They discuss the progressive case for free trade and immigration. Kimberly Clausing is the Thormund Miller and Walter Mintz Professor of Economics at Reed College, where she teaches international trade, international finance, and public finance. Her research studies the taxation of multinational firms. You might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with Branko Milanovic. They discuss the evolution of capitalism, inequality and technology based on Branko's new book "Capitalism, Alone" published by Harvard University Press. Branko Milanovic is one of the world's leading experts on inequality. He is a visiting presidential professor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and an affiliated senior scholar at the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS). He also teaches at the London School of Economics and the Barcelona Institute for International Studies. If you like our podcast you might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website https://www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to the eighth episode of Social Europe Talk recorded in the European Parliament in Brussels. The topic of this discussion is the "just transition" and how it could be brought about. Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer is joined by Montserrat Mir of the Just Transition Centre of the ITUC, Stanislas Jourdan from Positive Money and Spanish MEP Javi Lopez. If you like our podcast you might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website https://www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with Branko Milanovic. They discuss the evolution of capitalism, inequality and technology based on Branko's new book "Capitalism, Alone" published by Harvard University Press. Branko Milanovic is one of the world's leading experts on inequality. He is a visiting presidential professor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and an affiliated senior scholar at the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS). He also teaches at the London School of Economics and the Barcelona Institute for International Studies. If you like our podcast you might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website https://www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with Philippe Pochet. They discuss the social policy record of the Juncker Commission and what one should expect from the new one. Philippe Pochet is the Director General of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). You might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website https://www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.

Listen to Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer in conversation with Katharina Pistor. They discuss "The Code of Capital - How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality", the topic of Pistor's most recent book published by Princeton University Press. Katharina Pistor is the Edwin B. Parker Professor of Comparative Law at Columbia Law School and Director of the Law School’s Center on Global Legal Transformation. Her research and teaching spans corporate law, corporate governance, money and finance, property rights, and comparative law and legal institutions. If you like our podcast you might also find our regular articles, blogs and other written publications of interest. Just visit our website https://www.socialeurope.eu to read our latest output. If you want to stay up-to-date with all things Social Europe just sign up to our regular newsletter. You can do so on our website.