Evaluating Social Dialogue in Europe

This project will examine social dialogue in two EU member states as well as the articulation between national and European levels of social dialogue in these two states. One case will be characterised by strong union organisations and bargaining structures (Germany, Scandinavian countries) and one by weak unions and structures (Central and Eastern European countries) to analyse whether and under what conditions social dialogue can give voice to workers, whether this leads to consensus over macroeconomic and social policy and whether EU notions of social dialogue are transposable to all member states.

This PhD will focus on the following research questions:

1. Can social dialogue provide a forum for gaining consensus over social and macroeconomic policies, or do external economic constraints mitigate against 'genuine' social dialogue?
2. In a context of trade union weakness, can social dialogue give trade unions a voice in policy-making?
3. To what extent are EU policies on social dialogue transposable to, and to what extent do they articulate with, national settings where trade unions are weak?

This studentship also involves an internship with the European Trade Union Institute.