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382. The upcoming New Pact on Migration and Asylum: Will it be up to the challenge?
- Author:
- Alberto-Horst Neidhardt and Olivia Sundberg Diez
- Publication Date:
- 04-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- A courageous and ambitious New Pact on Migration and Asylum is one that strengthens the right to asylum; sets the conditions for more equal relationships with third countries when it comes to managing migration; and puts forward a mechanism that can foster genuine solidarity between member states. When the new Commission entered into office in December 2019, it promised a fresh start on migration, breaking the deadlock between member states on long-awaited reforms. Unfortunately, based on a range of leaked papers and official (draft) documents that have been circulating since late 2019, it seems that the Commission may opt to reduce the New Pact to a collection of watered-down compromises on responsibility-sharing. It also appears to be doubling down on control-oriented measures. This Discussion Paper argues that a different approach is needed to set up an EU asylum and migration policy that is efficient, respects asylum seekers’ fundamental rights and can prevent and meaningfully address future humanitarian emergencies.
- Topic:
- Migration, Treaties and Agreements, Refugees, and Asylum
- Political Geography:
- Europe
383. Minimum wage and the EU: Happily ever after?
- Author:
- Claire Dhéret and Mihai Palimariciuc
- Publication Date:
- 05-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- Once deemed a pipe dream, a concrete plan for a European framework on minimum wages might finally be in the cards. The framework will have to be ambitious enough to deliver progress for low-wage workers, but also flexible enough to accommodate the very diverse wage-setting regimes present across the EU. On top of that, the Commission must deal with the opposition to EU interventions in determining wages, and convince sceptics of the economic, social and political benefits of having a European framework. The Commission should, therefore, strive for (i) the creation of an egalitarian wage structure that supports decent living standards; and (ii) building broad political consensus.
- Topic:
- Labor Issues, Reform, European Union, and Minimum Wage
- Political Geography:
- Europe
384. Countering shrinking spaces: Recommendations to support EU civil society
- Author:
- Sophie Pornschlegel
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- Civil society is a crucial ally in safeguarding and upholding the European Union's (EU) values. And although the EU, and in particular the European Commission, has made a conscious effort to support civil society organisations (CSOs) across Europe, it has not been enough to counter the phenomenon of 'shrinking spaces' effectively. As the COVID-19 crisis is likely to harm civil society across Europe, through the growing restrictions on civil liberties and the subsequent economic recession, the need for better and more comprehensive support has never been more urgent. Within the realm of the Treaties, the EU institutions could take a range of measures to improve its civil society support. It could come up with a more comprehensive strategy outlining its approach towards civil society; provide adequate and flexible financial resources to respond to the needs of CSOs; and improve its dialogue processes, to 'CSO-proof' its legislation but also to benefit from the bridge-building function of civil society, thereby linking the EU's support for civil society to its attempts to improve democratic participation. While the newly presented recovery instrument and the revised proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) are important steps to provide the necessary help for European societies and economies to recover, civil society support does not seem to be a priority. This is a dangerous omission. The EU must recognise the value of civil society in safeguarding democratic principles and upholding the Union's core principles. If it fails to better support CSOs through this challenging time, the EU will be able to do little else but stand and watch as democratic backsliding intensifies across member states and, in some cases, will eventually tip over into a downward spiral towards authoritarianism.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Global Recession, Authoritarianism, European Union, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Europe
385. Towards a green, competitive and resilient EU economy: How can digitalisation help?
- Author:
- Annika Hedberg and Stefan Sipka
- Publication Date:
- 07-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- EU leaders stress the importance of the green transition and digital transformation and consider it crucial to the EU's recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Rightly so. Aligning the EU's green and digital transition policies carries enormous potential and should become central to the Union's efforts to create a competitive and sustainable climate-neutral economy. The European Commission's Green Deal proposal – supported by, for example, the Industrial Strategy, the Circular Economy Action Plan and Digital Strategy – already recognises that the two transitions are closely linked. But the EU should go a step further. It should lead the way and ensure that digitalisation enhances environmental protection and climate action and that the digital sector becomes greener. The findings in this paper are the result of a year-long EPC research project commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, European Union, Economy, Green Technology, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Europe
386. Protracted Great-Power War: A Preliminary Assessment
- Author:
- Andrew F. Krepinevich Jr.
- Publication Date:
- 02-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for a New American Security
- Abstract:
- FEBRUARY 05, 2020 Protracted Great-Power War A Preliminary Assessment By Dr. Andrew Krepinevich, Jr. Print Download PDF Executive Summary This study provides preliminary observations and insights on the character and conduct of protracted great-power war.1 It finds the U.S. Department of Defense is giving insufficient attention to preparing for such wars. While the probability of an extended great-power war may be low, the costs involved in waging one would likely be extraordinarily high, making it an issue of strategic significance for senior Defense Department leaders. Arguably the best way to avoid these costs is to demonstrate to great-power rivals that the United States is capable of prevailing in a protracted conflict. Once the United States became an active world power, in the early 20th century, a great deal of intellectual effort and considerable resources were devoted to planning for an extended great-power war. The primary purpose of these efforts was not to fight such a war but to avoid one, by discouraging prospective enemies from believing they could win. Even during the Cold War, when both superpowers possessed large nuclear arsenals, successive U.S. administrations sought to demonstrate to the Soviet Union that the United States could wage an extended conventional war. Following the Cold War, planning for protracted great-power war contingencies was essentially abandoned. Now, however, with the rise of revisionist China and Russia, the United States is confronted with a strategic choice: conducting contingency planning for a protracted great-power conflict and how to wage it successfully (or, better still, prevent it from occurring), or ignoring the possibility and hoping for the best. Should they choose the former course of action, U.S. defense leaders and planners must understand the characteristics of contemporary protracted great-power war, which are likely to be far different from those of both recent conflicts and World War II—the last protracted great-power conflict.
- Topic:
- Cold War, Power Politics, History, and Conflict
- Political Geography:
- United States of America
387. Strong Foundations: Financial Security Starts with Affordable, Stable Housing
- Author:
- Aspen Institute and EPIC
- Publication Date:
- 01-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- One in three US households—nearly 100 million people—struggle with housing costs that jeopardize their financial security. The problem is acute for virtually all low-income families and for the 1 in 4 renters who spend 50% or more of their income on housing—and its effects ripple throughout our communities and economy. In 2019, Aspen EPIC recognized rising housing costs and instability as critical threats to the financial security of American families and created a comprehensive research primer on the topic. Drawing on extensive review of the research literature, engagement with more than 100 experts, and analysis of federal survey data, we have prepared a research brief and primer, “Strong Foundations: Financial security starts with affordable, stable housing.”
- Topic:
- Security, Financial Stability, and Housing
- Political Geography:
- United States of America and North America
388. Expanding Opportunity for Lower-Income Students: Three Years of the American Talent Initiative
- Author:
- Aspen Institute
- Publication Date:
- 02-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- This is the second annual report for the American Talent Initiative, highlighting it has achieved more than 40 percent of the progress needed to realize its goal to enroll 50,000 additional lower-income students at high-graduation rate institutions across the country. This report also centers on the impact that an equity-focused, comprehensive strategy can have on institutions’ ability to enroll and graduate more of these talented students.
- Topic:
- Education, Inequality, Income Inequality, and Higher Education
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
389. Health Technology Assessment for the US Healthcare System
- Author:
- Aspen Institute and USC Schaeffer Center For Health Policy & Economics
- Publication Date:
- 03-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- The USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and the Aspen Institute’s Health, Medicine & Society Program have together established an advisory panel to consider how the U.S. can better link the price of health technologies to the benefits they provide to patients while ensuring a sustainable healthcare ecosystem that supports innovation.
- Topic:
- Health, Science and Technology, Health Care Policy, and Emerging Technology
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
390. Making the Case: Solving the Student Debt Crisis
- Author:
- Tim Shaw and Kiese Hansen
- Publication Date:
- 03-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- For people across the United States, student loan debt is a growing portion of the household balance sheet. More than 40 million Americans have outstanding student loan balances. In 2019, the total amount of student debt owed surpassed $1.5 trillion, now the largest source of non-mortgage debt.
- Topic:
- Debt, Education, Students, and Student Loans
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America