2 ms·

I can't access anything other than the abstract so apologies if this is in the paper, but personally I think there's a few obvious factors. One is Christian soc

I can't access anything other than the abstract so apologies if this is in the paper, but personally I think there's a few obvious factors. One is Christian social teaching as a foundation for a lot of the national corporatist models (Christsoziale Demokratie here in Germany for example), which has always underpinned both the major left and right wings of European politics. Another factor is a somewhat greater level of homogeneity (i.e 'no Denmark without the Danes') although this seems overplayed usually for political reasons from the more extreme factions given that Europe's social model also seems to hold in recent times despite changing demographics. Another factor, a little bit contradictory to the last one maybe, is I think also the diversity between individual European nations. There's lots of natural and linguistic borders that have prevented the sort of concentration you see in say, the US or China both politically as well as economically. A lot of the drivers of inequality in the US are incredibly concentrated corporate giants, which domestically in the EU wouldn't have much success. A fourth factor I think is also the focus on white collar academic work in the US as well as Britain. In particular here in the German-speaking/adjacent sphere (Germany, Swiss, Northern Italy, also Benelux and parts of the East) there's a focus on grey-collar work and industry which provides what Daron Acemoglu labeled 'good jobs'. Middle class vocational professions that support a broad base of workers. The European South has traditionally lacked this and is markedly more unequal.

sofixa 4y ago
> One is Christian social teaching as a foundation for a lot of the national corporatist models (Christsoziale Demokratie here in Germany for example), which has always underpinned both the major left and right wings of European politics. Counterpoint, France. Laïcité, separation of church and state, is one of the principles of the republic. None of the parties today are religious-inspired, and i don't think any major ones have been since the beginning of the 20th century. Also, I'm not an expert but I don't think the SPD in Germany or the PSOE in Spain have any religious foundations. > Another factor is a somewhat greater level of homogeneity (i.e 'no Denmark without the Danes') although this seems overplayed usually for political reasons from the more extreme factions given that Europe's social model also seems to hold in recent times despite changing demographics. Few counterpoints: Belgium (Flemish and Walloons, former colonies), France, Spain, Portugal (former colonies). "Homogeneous" is little more than a racist dog whistle with little substance.
- Barrin92 4y ago
  France isn't a counterpoint in my opinion. It's a very stratified country, on several dimensions. Racially with huge disparities and unemployment among minorities but also culturally with a largely privileged, academic and almost aristocratic political class. France resembles the US and Britain more than Germany or Scandinavia with its almost exclusive recruitment of elites out of the Grande école system and the accompanying social ills. The dominance and centrality of Paris, and so on. As for the homogeneity, I don't think it's a dogwhistle. You don't need to interpret it normatively, but it is worth accepting the reality that very diverse populations often have issues with social trust. And high social trust is a requirement for equality, because it is necessary if people are supposed to share resources and make sacrifices for strangers. Some very high trust and egalitarian countries like Israel or Finland are tight knit because they share an identity, or sometimes which is ugly to admit, an enemy. You don't need to turn this into a guideline for some racist political program, but it's important to not ignore it. That's a huge problem of Laïcité, it's intentionally blind.
- orwin 4y ago
  I don't think you can dismiss religion in France on the right wing. The 'humanist right' on the west side of France used to be a major driver of right wing politics. They used to support Veil (right wing supporting abortion), and created a Christian workers union. It's dying sadly, but it existed.

sofixa 4y ago

> One is Christian social teaching as a foundation for a lot of the national corporatist models (Christsoziale Demokratie here in Germany for example), which has always underpinned both the major left and right wings of European politics. Counterpoint, France. Laïcité, separation of church and state, is one of the principles of the republic. None of the parties today are religious-inspired, and i don't think any major ones have been since the beginning of the 20th century. Also, I'm not an expert but I don't think the SPD in Germany or the PSOE in Spain have any religious foundations. > Another factor is a somewhat greater level of homogeneity (i.e 'no Denmark without the Danes') although this seems overplayed usually for political reasons from the more extreme factions given that Europe's social model also seems to hold in recent times despite changing demographics. Few counterpoints: Belgium (Flemish and Walloons, former colonies), France, Spain, Portugal (former colonies). "Homogeneous" is little more than a racist dog whistle with little substance.

Barrin92 4y ago
France isn't a counterpoint in my opinion. It's a very stratified country, on several dimensions. Racially with huge disparities and unemployment among minorities but also culturally with a largely privileged, academic and almost aristocratic political class. France resembles the US and Britain more than Germany or Scandinavia with its almost exclusive recruitment of elites out of the Grande école system and the accompanying social ills. The dominance and centrality of Paris, and so on. As for the homogeneity, I don't think it's a dogwhistle. You don't need to interpret it normatively, but it is worth accepting the reality that very diverse populations often have issues with social trust. And high social trust is a requirement for equality, because it is necessary if people are supposed to share resources and make sacrifices for strangers. Some very high trust and egalitarian countries like Israel or Finland are tight knit because they share an identity, or sometimes which is ugly to admit, an enemy. You don't need to turn this into a guideline for some racist political program, but it's important to not ignore it. That's a huge problem of Laïcité, it's intentionally blind.
orwin 4y ago
I don't think you can dismiss religion in France on the right wing. The 'humanist right' on the west side of France used to be a major driver of right wing politics. They used to support Veil (right wing supporting abortion), and created a Christian workers union. It's dying sadly, but it existed.