Social Cohesion and Social Capital The Role of
Political Institutions
Marc HoogheSarah Botterman
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Royal AcademyBrussels, May 15th 2008
What is the impact of policy and institutions on social cohesion?Two competing visions:
1. Crowding out (conservative Tocquevillian)Voluntary sphere and self-reliance state intervention
Not supported empirically2. Facilitating cohesion by policy effects
Some evidence on long-term effects
Policy Exclusion
Policy effects on exclusion and income (in)equality- Tax system- Social security
Exclusion = no or limited capacity to develop human capabilities (Amartya Sen/Martha Nussbaum)
Collective goods as pre-condition for human capabilities
Policy Exclusion
Non-discrimination lawExample: voting rights for non-nationals
Political Rights Immigrants
Trust
Policy Networks
Policy effects on voluntary sector:- no crowding out- High level of government
involvement is associated with high level of voluntary engagement
- Downside: homogenous networks? (Mark Bovens: and becoming worse)
- Historical pattern: North-South divide in Europe
Policy Attitudes
Generalized Trust: Causes and Consequences
Corruption erodes political trust. Spill-over effect to generalized trust? (Uslaner thesis)
Downside: no direct link between government performance and political trust
+ Generalized trust diversity?
Policy Attitudes
Basic expectation: stable political communtiy requires shared norms of community and citizenship
Does it require “thick consenus”? (Communautarianism)
Or “thin consensus”? (procedural consensus)- “overlapping consensus” (Rawls)- “constitutional patriotism” (Habermas)
The challenge of creating an “imagined community”
Policy Attitudes
How can policies have an effect on attitudes?
a) indirect: equality, inclusionb) direct: civic educationc) direct: collective ritualsd) direct: public broadcasting systems
Strong, path-dependent country differences (criteria for inclusion” differ)
Basic Questions
a) Can political institutions have an effect on attitudinal components of social cohesion?
b) If so, is this effect indirect? (by promoting inclusion)
c) What kind of shared norms?
Case-study: European Policies
European Union / Council of Europe
HistoryPolicy MethodsFuture?
History of the European Union
Increasing institutional diversity of European social policy with every enlargement of the EU
1950 - 1973: gradually converging social standards1974 - 1983: tendency towards renationalisation1984 - 1994: neo-liberal trend of deregularisation1995 - 2003: return to social integration2004 - … : ?
Social policy methods 21st Century
A Multilevel Setting
Lisbon Strategy (2000)
By means of “Open Method for Coordination”
- framework for cooperation
- benchmarking
Open Method for Coordination
Pro’s1. Stimulates reforms2. Active approach3. Encouraging of national policymakers4. Legitimacy
Contra’s1. Lack of transparency2. Unknown, unloved3. Rigid and technocratic4. Free-riding
Open Method for Coordination
Aim= harmonisation of legislation and
institutions= harmonisation of ideas, visions,
conceptions, knowledge and norms of action
Open Method for Coordination:A common political vision
Questions remain
- Real enlargement or a new Europe?- Soft or Hard forms of regulation?- Social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy?
Council of Europe
Committee for Social Cohesion:
“Social cohesion is one of the foremost needs of the wider Europe and should be pursued as an essential complement to the promotion of human rights and dignity”
Strasbourg Summit, 10-11 October 1997
Strategy for Social Cohesion 2000
“Governments need to aim not only at making the economy work but also at making society work”
Strategy for Social Cohesion 2000
No definition of social cohesionSeeking to identify factors of social cohesion
Strategy for Social Cohesion 2000
Conclusions:
Responsibilities in social security Eliminations of poverty and social
exclusion Operational tools for monitoring
progress in social cohesion
Revised Strategy for Social Cohesion 2004
Social Cohesion:“The capacity of a society to ensure the
welfare of all its members, minimising
disparities and avoiding polarisation”
Social cohesive society: an ideal
Revised Strategy for Social Cohesion 2004
Objectives:1. Reference framework2. Accumulating knowledge3. Facilitate learning process
Participatory approachShared responsibility of all social
stakeholders
Conclusion EU / Council of EuropeSimilarities• Soft regulation• Political vision
Dissimilarities • Guidance• Context
Impact of European Politicies?