Introduction: New Governance and the Dilemma of European Union Social Policy

Abstract

This book explores current problems in European social policy.1 It does so by examining a new governance method in European Union (EU) social policy known as the Open Method of Coordination (OMC). At first glance, the OMC might appear to be merely a marginally significant EU policy instrument as it is not legally binding and has been largely neglected in broader public debates. However, the introduction of the OMC in the late 1990s and the problems that are surrounding it are symptomatic of the difficulties with which EU and national social policy are confronted. A detailed investigation of the reasons behind the OMC’s introduction, aims and contradiction, along with its implementation at the member state level is therefore crucial. This investigation is hence the purpose of this book.KeywordsEuropean UnionMember StateSocial PolicyMonetary UnionPolicy CoordinationThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.