The EU and Minimum Income Protection: Clarifying the Policy Conundrum

In: Marx I., Nelson K. (Eds.), Minimum Income Protection in Flux. Hampshire (UK): Palgrave Macmillan, 271-317.

47 Pages Posted: 4 Aug 2017

See all articles by Frank Vandenbroucke

Frank Vandenbroucke

University of Amsterdam

Bea Cantillon

University of Antwerp

Natascha Van Mechelen

University of Antwerp

Tim Goedemé

University of Antwerp

Anne Van Lancker

University of Leuven - European Minimum Income Network 2

Date Written: 2013

Abstract

The EU and minimum income protection: clarifying the policy conundrum. Should the EU be involved in the governance of minimum income protection, and if it should, in which role precisely? This question raises a complex policy conundrum. We focus on a proposal by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) for an EU Framework Directive on Minimum Income Protection, in order to examine three aspects of that policy conundrum: (1) the instrumental relevance of minimum income protection; (2) the unequal burden of the redistributive effort that would be required across the EU if the Union were to impose hic et nunc a minimum income guarantee of 60% or 40% of the median national income in all Member States; and (3) the impact on dependency traps, under the same hypothesis. We illustrate each of these observations empirically, using cross-nationally comparable data on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) and minimum income protection levels (CSB-MIPI). Since a harmonised minimum income scheme requires a significantly greater budgetary effort on behalf of some of the poorer Member States in Eastern and Southern Europe, it raises a complex question about the meaning of solidarity within the EU. Enhanced solidarity within Member States cannot be decoupled from enhanced solidarity among Member States - and vice versa. Simultaneously, the EU should put positive pressure on poorer and richer Member States to gradually improve the overall quality and efficiency of their welfare regimes. In this context, the prospect of gradually and flexibly introducing a more binding EU framework on minimum income protection may become realistic.

Suggested Citation

Vandenbroucke, Frank and Cantillon, Bea and Van Mechelen, Natascha and Goedemé, Tim and Van Lancker, Anne, The EU and Minimum Income Protection: Clarifying the Policy Conundrum (2013). In: Marx I., Nelson K. (Eds.), Minimum Income Protection in Flux. Hampshire (UK): Palgrave Macmillan, 271-317., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2990931

Frank Vandenbroucke (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1012 WX
Netherlands
+31 (0)20 525 6037 (Phone)

Bea Cantillon

University of Antwerp

Prinsstraat 13
Antwerp, 2000
Belgium

Natascha Van Mechelen

University of Antwerp ( email )

Prinsstraat 13
Antwerp, 2000
Belgium

Tim Goedemé

University of Antwerp ( email )

Prinsstraat 13
Antwerp, 2000
Belgium

Anne Van Lancker

University of Leuven - European Minimum Income Network 2 ( email )

Leuven
Belgium

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