*** L'entreprise surveillée. L'éthique, la responsabilité sociale, le marché, la concurrence, les nouveaux acteurs. Bruylant (67 rue de la Régence, B-1000 Brussels. Tell.: (32-2) 5129845 - fax: 5117202 - E-mail info@bruylant.be - Internet: http://www.bruylant.be ). 2003, 181 p., 23 euros. ISBN 2-8027-1749-9.
This book is stamped by intelligence throughout. Marked by an independence of spirit, its authors wend their way cheerfully through out-of-date ideologies and pseudo-truths hashed together by their contemporary harbingers. Their starting point of the reflex ion, is the new "crisis of capitalism", which has sent the author of "The End of History" to the drawing board. In order to see things more clearly, the Cercle d'éthique du Centre européen de civisme (Ethics Circle of the European Civics Centre) at the Free University of Brussels has organised a number of informal seminars on ethics during which, players involved in this field, business leaders, visionary observers, particularly from the academic world have been examining the case of private enterprise, which, in his preface, Professor Guy Haarscher states, " is the main unit of wealth creation in the contemporary world ". Hence, can enterprise be seen as an angel or a devil? No either of them, according to the authors of the book, who in unison state that it is above all necessary to not be constrained by the « jealous mistress of ideology ". Guy Haarscher, focuses the debate on enterprise and its monitoring modes, on ethics and profit, which are worth, "infinitely more than the tiresome dialogue with the deaf administered by blind ideologue, with arguments that upset the complacent with their simplified visions of the world. In this rebellious and constructive spirit, the authors seek, in this often enlightened book, to bring readers to "escape from the tow single ideologies (…): Davos and Porto Alegre, the exaggerated celebration of the beneficial effects of the market and demonisation and globalisations".
Thus, sociologist Alain Eraly provides a rigorous and impressive analysis, attracting the ire of both sides, the so-called anti-globalisers, with their promises and rigidity and their overtly « anti-capitalist » stances taken by the latter and who target the excesses of unfettered capitalism. Eraly then puts forward arguments that attack those who blame globalisation under US impetus for being responsibly for all the evils of the world. He then concludes with an insight into the serious, democratic and potential aspects of emerging civil society. He appeals for "self-ethical" enterprise. Professor Paul-F. Smets meticulously analyses the issue of corporate social responsibility and concludes that the increase in power of ethics cannot be reduced to a simple change in fashions. The philosopher, Beaudouin Decharneux, clarifies the often confused notions of ethics, morality and responsibility. This is followed by Professor Eric De Keuleneer who provides a comprehensive picture of contemporary capitalism and its effects, particularly in the USA. This book really is a must!
Michel Theys
*** CAROLINE DE LA PORTE, PHILIPPE POCHET: Building Social Europe through the Open Method of Co-ordination. Interuniversitaires européennes press/Peter Lang (Brielle's. E-mail: info@peterlang.com - Internet: http://www.peterlang.net ). "Work & Society" series, No. 34. 2002, 313 p.. ISBN 90-5201-984-3.
In order to get out the impasse of an unattainable unanimity in social policy, the European Commission in 1997, introduced a new method, known as the « open cooperation method" (OMC) to employment policy. This involved defining common objectives and calling on Member States to direct national policy towards these objectives In this context, the European Commission aims to study national plans and present a progress report on them to the Council. The Council will then adopt a decision, subsequently allocating points or black marks against the different governments. The method saw increased interest at the European Council of Lisbon in 2000. The OCM now covers social and pension policies. One could assume that this non binding method would be gradually extended to other areas such as health and social security, sectors that are strictly national but where cooperation and coordination appear increasingly necessary.
For the first time experts have followed-up and analysed the results of the OCM and are attempting to measure their impact of this open coordination on the European social model. Philippe Pochet and Caroline de la Porte from the European Social Observatory, have thus analysed the cooperation process and its impact on national policies. It is difficult to say, what in national policies has been directly influenced by European proposals, with a substantial number of national plans just being a rehash of decisions already taken or enacted at national level. The study clearly locates the results in their respective contexts: the OCM has been particularly influential on the policies of more socially advances countries , those which have the capability to adapt to European objectives. The method has certainly helped push forward the idea of a European social model but this remains undecided as far as Scandinavian concept go and those of the Mediterranean or the United Kingdom. Just when the notion of the welfare state is being strongly contested in the name of economic efficiency, the OCM certainly constitutes a step towards a social Europe but we are still far from achieving he social convergence criteria that will counterbalance the economic criteria, which is indeed binding. It appears quite apparent that the OCM has the disadvantage of being confined to countries, whereas social matters, many decisions and interventions are set out at regional and local levels. Judging by the analyses, the next stage will be to transform a process for adopting plans that are still too technocratic into a public process, involving national parliaments, local collectives and public opinion, which till now, has largely been left on the sidelines.
(RVe)
*** DIRK VAN DER WERF: The Social Face of the Euro. 2000 Plus (distribution: International Books, 17 Alexander Numankade, 3572 KP Utrecht, Netherlands. Tel.: (31-30) 2731840 - fax: 2733614 - E-mail: i-books@antenna.nl - Internet: http://www.antenna.nl/i-books ). 2003, 183 pp., 50 euros. ISBN 90-807336-1-X.
Highly academic, this book is a fresh and welcome change from the usual run of the mill impersonal complete with statistics and official reports. An advisor for many years to the Dutch government in social and economic areas, the author reaches a conclusion that is in fully resonance with that of an idea floated by Jacques Chirac on 14 July: "the State shouldn't decide on everything",. The French President called on social partners to seize hold of several significant areas: education, vocational training, health insurance and pensions. Does this position illustrate a sudden change of direction, at least rhetorically by a country that has traditionally been committed to centralized governance? Are we witnessing an attempt by one of the most powerful fleets in Europe to drop anchor in the traditional waters of the Scandinavian and Germanic countries, namely, those with models of social consensus more grounded in the "Bismarck paradigm" (a social model supported by professional organisations) than on the "Beveridge paradigm" (welfare state, central and omnipotent)?
These are the central tenets investigated by Dirk van der Werf in the state of the Union and its social aspects, which are extremely different and tackled in connection with their different components. In the ten chapters, the author calls on the reader to consider, how, over almost fifty years of European construction, the harmonisation of social policies has been left in the lurch in preference of national calculations ; that a new trend for European level cooperation could lead to painful confrontation in a context where definitions and Community concepts on social security are sometimes radically different in the different countries and cultures, that the Acquis communautaire in actual fact only exist in a patchwork of systems which, terrific in their intentions are potentially a source of conflict if implemented on the same model; that there is a risk that the social security systems are in danger of exploding due to demographic considerations; that current systems respond to the problems posed, differently etc. the author then illustrates some of the contours of three major scenarios that could have arisen from the present non-harmonisation, before concluding that without any firm decision making that is binding on a Community level, it will be necessary to prepare for a long period of competition between the different concepts that current exist in each are, which could have devastating consequences.
(FOc)
*** MATT BARNES, CHRISTOPHER HEADY, SUE MIDDLETON, JANE MILLAR, FOTIS PAPADOPOULOS, GRAHAM ROOM, PANOS TSAGLOGLOU: Poverty and social exclusion in Europe. Edward Elgar Publishing (Glensanda House, Montpellier Parade, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 1UA, United Kingdom. Tel.: (44-1242) 226934 - fax: 262111 - E-mail: Info@e-elgar.co.uk - Internet: http: //http://www.e-elgar.co.uk ). 2002, 164 pp.. ISBN 1-84064-375-7.
Poverty affects one out of five Europeans. It is therefore impossible to consider that this is just a marginal issue. This is even more the case in East European countries, which will soon become members of the Union. The poor, according to current criteria, are even more numerous. Statistical organisations have just measures poverty in terms of income, which doesn't give the whole picture. The open cooperation process at the Union has allowed for the adoption of new kinds of indicators, taking into account other factors such as accommodation difficulties, lack of education etc. While awaiting the chance to exploit these new statistics, researchers possess the results of a European household survey, which collated by Eurostat, gauges the living conditions of thirty million households in Europe. It regularly measures the situation and evolution in terms of consumption and quality of life in the different Member States.
Seven European researchers have examined the totality of results produced since 1994 for building a more accurate and concrete picture of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. Their study reveals that poverty is a very complex phenomenon and hat social aid measures will not be sufficient to resolve the problem alone. The portrait of this Europe of the poor also questions the principle of integration in employment Las part of European social policy. studies have defined target groups that are most exposed to poverty: youth, single parent families, women, the disabled and pensioners. Each of these groups require different methods of intervention. The book is an interesting read for those interested in how social exclusion affects European society. It is a book to recommend to those involved in decision making, especially those who think that social problems can simply be resolved with an increase in economic growth: even without the unemployed, the poor will exist in Europe!
(RVe)
*** XENIA NEUBECK: Die Europäische Sozialcharta und deren Protokolle. Peter Lang (15 Jupiterstr., CH-3000 Berne, Suisse. Tel.: (41-32) 3761717 - fax: 3761727 - E-maill: publicity@peterlang.com - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.net ). Collection "Publications Universitaires Européennes", Legal series, No. 3337. 2002, 370 p., 46.80 euro. ISBN 3-631-38787-3.
This PHd thesis of a young legal expert at the University of Frankfurt (Main)provides a detailed account of he European Social Charter of the Council of Europe. It examines the history of the Charter, the control procedures, the effects and importance of the charter in Germany (a country that has not ratified all the protocols of the charter)and its role in Community law. The author of the study focuses on the evolution in fundamental social rights at an international level and the direct and indirect application of the charter of German law and jursprudence in Germany. He then concludes with a comparison between the European Social Charter and the Union's Charter of Fundamental rights. The advantage of this publication is it general and well structured presenation, as well as in its comparative approach.
(PB)
*** THEONI KOUKOULAKI, STEFANO BOY (Editor): La mondialisation des normes techniques. Impact et enjeux pour la santé et la sécurité au travail. Bureau technique syndical européen pour la santé et la sécurité (5 bld du Roi Albert II, B-1210 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 2240560 - fax: 2240561 - E-mail: tutb@etuc.org - Internet: http://www.etuc.org/tutb ). 2002, 114 p., 20 euros. ISBN 2-930003-45-6.
This publication clarifies certain elements in the debate on the effects that European and international standardisation (under the leadership of the international Standardisation Organisation (ISO) and the International Electro-technical Committee (IEC)) is likely to have on the health and safety of workers. Since the Union signed the agreement setting up the World Trade Organisation in 1994, in particular with the annex on technical obstacles to trade, the balance reached at a European level with the Technical Harmonisation Technique, has been inexorably weakened". Without attempting to be exhaustive, the book identifies the worries and opportunities in the future that are linked to the globalisation process in standards for health and safety. The authors are thus hoping to therefore open up a debate on the way in which European standards take charge of the public interest, particularly the aspirations of workers, while identifying the emerging challenges.
(MT)
*** Revue du Marché commun et de l'Union européenne. Editions techniques et économiques (3 rue Soufflot, F-75005 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 55426130 - fax: 55426139 - E-mail: editecom@starnet.fr - Internet: http: //http://www.editecom.com ). July-August 2003, No. 470, 69 p.. Subscription: 202 euros.
Like other publications this summer, this magazine meticulously examines the Convention's results. This does not, nevertheless, constitute more than a tiny fraction of the subjects proposed, including legal cooperation with the USA, guaranteed protection for certain labels, as well as Union relations with the Ukraine, WTO negotiations and free movement of workers..
*** The Federalist Debate. The Federalist Debate (26 via Schina, I-10144 Torino. Tel./fax: (39-11) 4732843 - E-mail: federalist.debate@libero.it). July 2003, No. 2, 72 p.. subscription: 15 euros.
The least we can say is that the work of the Commission and the war in Iraq, with the dissenting European views has given the federalists grist to the mill. The publication's main article "Borderless Debate" focuses on the respective positions of the USA and Europe, as well as their relations after the war. The "Comments" section brings together subjects that do not have any direct links between them, such as local democracy in Yugoslavia, the World Forum on water in Tokyo and Argentinean and Brazilian efforts to relaunch Mercosur. The "Federalist Action" section mainly looks at Europe, while book reviews conclude the issue.
*** La lettre de Confrontations Europe. Confrontations Europe (41 rue Emile-Zola, F-93107 Montreuil Cedex. Tel.: (33-1) 49881194 - fax: 49881184 - E-mail: Confrontations@wanadoo.fr - Internet: http://www.confrontations.org ). June-July 2003, No. 62, 24 p., 4,60 euros. Subscription: 23 euros .
The newsletter of the association of which MEP Philippe Herzog is President, focuses on the thorny question of pension reform in France. The second major subject tackled in his issues concentrates on a European seminary held by Confrontation Europe and the French Minister for the Economy, Finances and Industry, on the services of general interest and European company identities.
*** The President's annual report: Spring 2003. The European University Institute (Badia Fiesolana, 9 via del Roccettini, I-50016 San Domenico di Fiesole. Fax: (39-55) 4685283 - E-mail: publish@iue.it - Internet: http: //http://www.iue.it/ ).Spring 2003, 62 p..
The first part of this report signed by Professor Yves Mény presents developments and initiatives that characterised the European University Institute of Florence in 2002, information was characterised by the subjects n which they focused, research, and administration of the institution and improvements in working conditions. Then the presentations of each department (history and civilisation, law, economies etc).
*** EUI Review. The European University Institute (see address attached).Summer 2003, 24 p..
In the steps of the Union, the European University Institute of Florence is expanding eastwards. And for both the Union and the Institute, this academic enlargement will be a source of significant progress but also problems to resolve, notably in terms of organisation and finance. This is why the edition of the EUI publications is focusing entirely on this event.
Reviews in brief
*** Annual report 2002. Ligue Européenne de Coopération Economique. 2003, Brussels. Annual report and position of the League on what is happening to European construction. *** L'avenir de l'agriculture… à travers les exploitations familiales ? SOS Faim. Augues 2003, Brussels. Introduction note and debate on family farms in the context of Cancun, the subject being of particular relevance of late . *** Art. 88-4 de la Constitution. Le kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale. No. 1011, July 2003, Paris. This information report presents documents submitted to the Delegation of the National Assembly to the Union on 17 may and 23 June. *** Carrefour de l'économie. SPF Economie, PME, Classes moyennes & Energie. N° 4-5 A&B, 2003, Brussels. Economic information bulletin and report with macro-economic data on Belgium. *** Louvain. Université catholique de Louvain - fédération des Alumni UCL. NO. 139, June 2003, Louvain-La-Neuve. This issue focuses on humanity. *** Slovenia News. Government PR and Media Office. No. 22, June 2003, Ljubljana. Information and promotion magazine for Slovenia.