Key Aspects of Social Inequality in the EU
Social inequality is a major threat to European Union’s progress and expansion despite its well-developed economy. Most members of European Union countries are undergoing high level of social inequality including social challenges and intensive poverty level (Kramer, 2012). The high poverty level in some members of European Union has not only destabilized the solidarity of the union, but has also increased the level of social inequality in the region.
Gender inequality is one of the major aspects that describe social inequality in EU (Hadjimichalis, 2011). The EU has been experiencing gender discrimination especially on the position and status of women in the society. Studies have confirmed that, some barriers that hinder women from attaining leadership and management position among EU countries. As a result, a good number of administrative position and most specifically in European Union structures are dominated by male gender. Racial inequality is also another aspect that dominates social inequality in EU. Racial inequality has resulted to hierarchical social distinction among ethnic group in the society (Jones, Clark, & Cameron, 2010). Among European Union states, racial inequality has described by consideration of factors such as physical characteristics, skin colour and individual culture and place of origin in workplace and other social places. Besides creating hatred and animosity among community members, racial inequality has diminished opportunities for marginalised members of the society. Racial discrimination has also led to political marginalisation and cycles of abject poverty.
Caste inequality has also another contributing factor towards social inequality in European Union. Caste inequality is based on occupation and is common in Pakistan and United Kingdom. There is also huge level of age discrimination that characterises social injustice in EU. The region presents high levels of unfair treatment in regards to privileges, resources, recruitment, and promotion among young people among EU members.
Policies on the Euro-crisis
Euro-crisis is a continuous crisis that has affected European Union countries since 2009. The crisis has so far interfered with the operations and activities of EU members’ economy. With an aim of overcoming Euro-crisis, there are some policies have has been discussed by various stakeholders. Some of the policies that are discussed in the debate on Euro-crisis aim at addressing regional inequality among European Union members (Jones, Clark, & Cameron, 2010). The policy to address banking crises has also been discussed by various stakeholders in both European continents and other parts of the world. Stakeholders are drafting a policy that would help in the reduction of continuous bank crises in European countries. A policy to address banking crises will not only help in the reduction of bank downfall but will also be of critical importance of facilitating regional equality (Pollard, 2012).
The government debt crises policy has also taken centre stage in European. In 2009, most EU members underwent serious government debt crises that threatened the economic progress in European continent. The government debt crises also increased the level of regional inequality in Europe. Policies to deal with the threat of government debt crises have therefore created a platform and timeline for covering government debt. Furthermore, some policies have been adopted that targets establishing the most effective and sustainable means of covering government debt on disadvantaged regions in both European and developing regions (Eurostat, 2013).
The policy on competiveness and growth has raised endless debate on the most reliable means of addressing regional inequality in Europe. Stakeholders aim at coming up with a policy that will ensure that there is fair and reliable social and economic competition in Europe. Fair competition will help in the reduction of competitiveness and growth crisis that have been experienced in the last five years. A policy to support fair competition will also enhance economic equality (Blazek & Netrdova, 2011).
Solidarity for the EU
In reference to the existing crisis and post-crises trend in social-spatial inequality in European union, organic solidarity with been vital in reducing the witnessed challenges. Organic solidarity will help in supporting structural funds that are essential in increasing social and economic effectiveness among European Union members. Structural funds will also be useful in facilitating fair distribution of resources among European countries therefore supporting regional balance. Fair resources distribution will not only be vital in reducing unfair competition but will support solidarity in the region (Prainsack, & Buyx, 2012).
Organic solidarity will also help European Union countries focus on long-term solution to the problems that affect unity and solidarity in Europe. Presently, short-term policies to fix the current problem have proved to be ineffective in enhancing the current economic trend. Organic solidarity will also be useful in facilitating transparency and reliable communication among EU members. Communication will help in reducing confusion and conflict among community members. Transparency will also be useful in facilitating equitable resource distribution. It is also through organic solidarity that the European Union members will have effective and reliable leadership. Effective leadership will help in supporting youth mobility in Europe and other parts of the world.
References
Blažek, J., Netrdová, P. (2011) Regional unemployment impacts of the global financial crisis in the new member states of the EU in Central and Eastern Europe, European Urban and Regional Studies, 19(1), 42–61.
Eurostat (2013) Table: At-risk-of-poverty rate by sex, table code tessi010, retrieved on 4th January 2013. From http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&plugin=1&language
Hadjimichalis, C. (2011) Uneven geographical development and socio-spatial justice and solidarity: European regions after the 2009 financial crisis, European Urban and Regional Studies, 18 (3), 254-274
Jones, A., J. Clark, and A. Cameron (2010), The Global Economic Crisis and the Cohesion of Europe, Eurasian Geography and Economics, 51(1), 35–51.
Kramer, S. P. (2012) The Return of History in Europe, The Washington Quarterly, 35(4), 81- 91.
Pollard, J. (2012) Gendering capital: financial crisis, financialization and (an agenda for) economic geography, Progress in Human Geography 37(3), 403–423
Prainsack, B. & Buyx, A., (2012), Solidarity in Contemporary Bioethics - Towards a New Approach, Bioethics (26/7): 343–350
