Globalisation and Social Justice

The advent of greater global interconnectedness has profoundly affected conceptions of social justice, the extent to which we think it is attainable and the means with which we are able to advance it. Although secular trends, including the decline of manufacturing, advances in technology and demographic change, are in large part responsible for increasing social inequalities, globalisation, in particular the movement of labour and capital across borders, is accentuating the risks of polarisation.

In their efforts to pursue a fairer distribution of opportunities, states are not powerless in the face of markets. This is visible in the numerous variants which exist within the European Social Model. However, as the recent financial crisis has shown, the ability of states to promote social justice is increasingly affected by international developments. A multi-tiered governance strategy, where power is distributed at the local, national, regional and global levels, is becoming increasingly necessary in the field of social policy.

The project seeks to:

• Examine how social justice can be attained in light of new social realities, including the decline of the manufacturing industry, accelerating demographic change or changing family patterns.
• Propose ways of renewing our social models in times of global economic recession and large budget deficits.
• Explore the political and economic conditions needed to implement a modern social investment strategy, and identify the key obstacles to this process.
• Identify ways of reconciling the quest for greater social justice “at home” with greater social justice in the world.
• Consider the reforms needed to the European Union and international financial institutions in order to enhance their capacity to deliver greater equity and fairness at both the domestic and international levels.