Brussels, 12/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - In response to the economic and financial crisis currently hitting Europe, the COMECE bishops presented a statement in Brussels on Thursday 12 January in which they propose that the common market evolve towards the concept of a social market economy for the EU to become a viable “Community of Solidarity and Responsibility”. The bishops of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) offer a commentary on the concept of “a highly competitive social market economy”, which has become one of the treaty objectives of the European Union since the Lisbon Treaty has come into force. This concept usually means wide-ranging freedom of the market associated with the instruments of the competitive economy together with the principle of solidarity and its mechanisms for the promotion of greater social equality, that is, far-reaching social protection on the part of the state. COMECE comments on a number of aspects of this concept:
1) Voluntary welfare. The bishops note the importance of “giving” and “reciprocity” in the social market economy. The institutions corresponding to the free form of solidarity - mutual associations, cooperatives and self-governing municipal bodies - and other forms of the social economy and ethical investment therefore demand to be given particular attention.
2) Competitiveness and responsibility. COMECE highlights the positive role of competition in a social market economy, preventing the formation of cartels and agreements between companies. However, it condemns an economy which aims solely at the accumulation of profit. “This vision threatens to overshadow the social and ecological dimensions of quality of life”, and ignores the impact of economic activity on others, especially the generations to come. The bishops state that public authorities have a formal obligation to ensure the supply of vital goods and public services and appropriate regulation of public services, and social services in particular, and encourage responsible consumption among citizens.
3) Social policy. The bishops call for a reallocation of social policy responsibilities between the European Union and the member states. They believe that the market is not enough and that there must be social provision so that all citizens can be guaranteed a dignified standard of living. With this in mind, the social dialogue between the various European partners must play the role assigned to it in the European treaties, particularly in these times of crisis.
4) Sustainable development. The statement makes a strong call for respect for the economic and ethical principle of sustainability. “Without a systematic integration of ecological factors, neither economic competitiveness nor social justice can be achieved in the long run”, the bishops argue.
In conclusion, COMECE calls on the EU to commit to the development in the long term of “a true world political authority” which, together with economic ingenuity, should show due regard for the principles of justice and ecological responsibility. “With solidarity and responsibility, we Europeans will also succeed in mastering the present difficult crisis and walking together on our common path.” (IL/transl.rt)