Social Europe Podcast

In this episode we bring to you a conversation about the future of the Euro Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer had with Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz. The Eurozone crisis has been rumbling on for years and it is far from clear whether the many deficiencies of the currency itself and wrong-headed policy responses to the crisis can be rectified so the Euro is sustainable in the long-run. With a global backlash against elites and globalisation on its way it is make or break time for the Euro. Joe Stiglitz and Henning Meyer discuss the key problems of the Euro, what needs to be done to solve them and whether in the end an amicable breakup might be the best option on the table. You can also read a written version of the conversation here: https://www.socialeurope.eu/2016/09/the-real-issues-of-the-eurozone-and-how-to-solve-them

European Democracy is under pressure from a variety of crises such as the Eurozone crisis, the refugee crisis and threats such as Brexit. In the 3rd episode of Social Europe Talk from the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs Ska Keller and Javi Lopez as well as Sophie Heine (Egmont Institute) and Uwe Optenhögel (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung) discuss these problems with Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer. This programme was recorded in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Europe Office and Javi Lopez MEP.

Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer discusses the Digital Revolution and what it means for social democracy. The analysis includes a comprehensive look at what the new technologies mean for the world of work and why some Silicon Valley policy ideas are at odds with the core values of social democracy.

Listen how Lord Anthony Giddens, one of the world's leading sociologists, examines and explains the fundmental social and economic transformations the digital revolution is bringing upon societies. We would like to thank the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung for organising the seminar where Lord Giddens delivered his speech.

Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer talks to MIT economist David Autor about the digital revolution and its limits on the transformation of work. In this episode you will learn why washing machines won't fly to the moon and why the digital revolution poses a much bigger challenge to emerging economies than to rich countries.

Richard Freeman, Herbert Ascherman Professor of Economics at Harvard University and Co-Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School, joins Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer to discuss the impact of technological changes on the world of work. Will machines substitute old jobs and create new ones? Or will machines just take over and leave large groups of people unemployed and unemployable? This episodes discusses these crucial questions about the future of work.

Host: Henning Meyer, Editor-in-Chief of Social Europe  Guest: John Kay, Economist and Financial Times Columnist  Episode Summary:In this episode of the Social Europe podcast, host Henning Meyer sits down with John Kay, a leading economist and Financial Times columnist, to discuss the evolving concept of "the good company" and the challenges facing economic thinking in European Center-left parties. The conversation dives deep into the weaknesses of current economic models, the importance of social institutions in market economies, and the need for a revised critique of market economies that acknowledges the complexities of modern corporations.Key Topics Discussed:1. The Disarray in Center-Left Economic Thinking:John Kay explores how the collapse of socialism has left Center-left parties in Europe without a clear economic strategy, leading to fragmented politics both on the Left and Right.2. The Role of Social Institutions in Market Economies:Markets function effectively when embedded within strong social institutions. Kay argues against the "American business model" that prioritizes individualism and minimal regulation, advocating instead for a more collective approach.3. Rethinking the Corporation:The discussion covers the limitations of viewing corporations solely through the lenses of individualism or shareholder value maximization. Kay emphasizes the importance of corporations being embedded in their communities and balancing the interests of all stakeholders.4. Stakeholder Theory and the German Model:Kay shares his views on stakeholder capitalism, contrasting the German model of co-determination with other approaches. He supports the idea of companies being run by professional managers with a broad understanding of their social roles.5. The Good Company Concept:A "good company" is one that balances producing goods and services, providing fulfilling work environments, existing in harmony with its community, and delivering returns to stakeholders. Kay uses the metaphor of steering a boat in turbulent waters to describe the role of a modern corporate manager.6. The Broken Social Contract:Kay critiques how some corporations, especially in the financial sector, have broken the implicit social contract with society, prioritizing short-term profits over long-term community engagement.7. Cultural Change Over Legislation:The conversation concludes with a discussion on the need for cultural change within corporations rather than relying solely on new laws or regulations. Kay stresses that rhetoric often runs ahead of reality and that changing the public discourse is crucial for reshaping the corporate landscape.Notable Quotes:"Markets function because they're embedded in social institutions.""A good company understands the multiplicities of its social role.""Pursuing a goal directly is not necessarily the most effective means of achieving it."Recommended Reading:John Kay's book, Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly, is mentioned as a deeper dive into the ideas discussed in the episode.Final Thoughts:This episode offers a compelling critique of current economic thinking and provides a thought-provoking discussion on how corporations can better align with social goals. Kay's insights challenge conventional wisdom and call for a renewed focus on the social responsibilities of businesses in modern economies.

Social Europe Editor-in-Chief Henning Meyer discusses the impact of the Digital Revolution on the nature of work and inequality with Michael A. Osborne, Associate Professor in Machine Learning and Co-Director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Technology and Employment at the University of Oxford.

Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus of the European Council, discusses the need for a New Pact for Europe and addresses the key issues the EU is currently facing. This keynote address was recorded in Brussels on 17th June 2015. We woudl liek to thank the King Baudouin Foundation, the Bertelsmann Foundation and the European Policy Centre for allowing us to broadcast this speech.

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis discusses the Greek debt crisis and the relationship between Greece, Germany, and the Eurozone. He challenges the popular narrative, explores the challenges faced by the Greek government, compares different strategies in the European project, and discusses Germany's role in recovery and Greece's current struggles. He emphasizes the need for a speech of hope for Greece and the importance of German support.