The Future of European Union Social Policy and its Implications for Housing

European economic integration raises important questions about the role of social policy in an economic and monetary union. In the past, it was often argued that there would be upward convergence in the social policies of member-states. More recently, fears have been expressed about downward convergence, partly as a result of globalisation pressures. These fears are shown to be largely unfounded, although there have been trends towards greater similarity in social policy across countries. In the future, it is very unlikely that an extensive welfare state at the European level will develop. However, further European action in 'peripheral' parts of the social policy agenda is more likely. This includes actions in relation to housing, which lies at the intersection of economic policy and social policy.