The Lisbon Council
Several pro-reform groups gathering under the umbrella of the Lisbon Council have presented a manifesto outlining their ideas for a debate on a new 'Social Contract for the 21st century'.
The Lisbon Council manifesto starts from the observation that Europe's current social model is not so 'social' anymore with millions of unemployed. It points to the influence of special interest groups and proposes a modernised social contract based on four guiding principles:
1) full employment and job creation
2) education and life-long learning
3) opportunity and innovation
4) sustainable public finances
Bland, probably of no value whatsoever, but it is nice to see someone trying to remind the EU that there are options other than the tried and failed models of the past. It is also nice seeing new members involved in such debates. Despite the fact that they all keeled over and agreed to the constitution, it does show that there may be hope.
1 comment:
"Full Employment" is easy. In free markets there is no such thing as involuntary unemployment. Only voluntary unemployment at the price being offered.
Thus, to reach full employment all we need to do is ban any form of minimum wage policy.
Somehow I don't think we'll get EU agreement on that somehow.
Tim Worstall
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