Euromemo english
From Noeuconstitution
[Euromemorandum-Group]: Alternative Economic Policy for Europe
Text from the [Euromemorandum 2004]:
4. A thorough reform of economic and social policy in the EU, with the goal of establishing a
specific European Social Model as an alternative to the US model, should be based on the following
core elements, on which a broad polit ical debate should take place:
- full employment with decent working conditions and with wages and salaries sufficient to lead
an independent life,
- social welfare as a guarantee that nobody is exposed to poverty and helplessness,
- social equity as the absence of discrimination and of excessive inequalities in income, wealth or
access to public goods and opportunities,
- ecological sustainability as the preservation of the natural basis for individual and social life,
- balanced international relations and efficient development aid as the long-term preconditions
for peace and political stability.
5. The European Constitution, which was signed at the end of October and which is now subject
to ratification procedures, is not helpful but in many ways hostile to the achievement of the European
Social Model.
In the first place the much criticised democratic deficit of the European Treaties is not challenged
in any of its central features. The European Parliament still has no right to in itiate legislation, and
key areas such as taxes and workers rights remain outside its reach.
The rules in the Constitution for economic and social policy turn the narrow and counterproductive
provisions of the existing Treaties into constitutional imperatives which will be very
hard to change – even in the light of new knowledge and new political majorities. In part III of
the Constitution there is an attempt to protect very controversial neoliberal conceptions against
growing theoretical criticism and political opposition by giving them constitutional status. The
attitude behind this attempt is not only anti-scientific but also deeply anti-democratic.
Our central criticism is that the overarching framework for economic and social policy in the
Constitution consists of liberalised markets and competition. The Constitution sees no room for
a public sector under democratic political control, although such a sector is vital for the functioning
of the economy and for social cohesion. The absolute priority which the Constitution gives to
competition will open the door to more ruinous races to the bottom and to more social dumping.
The macroeconomic policy framework in the Constitution is so restrictive as to impede sustainable
economic development and full employment. The Constitution leaves the EU with virtually
no power or competence to enhance welfare, workers rights or social cohesion throughout the
Union, while the rights of employers are continuously enhanced.
For more details, please read the complete [document].
