Eine Generation nach dem Ende des europäischen Staatssozialismus – von vielen erhofft, von wenigen vorausgesagt – ist eine Zwischenbilanz an der Zeit. Die anfangs gehegte Erwartung, dass sich in Mittel- und Osteuropa die vermeintliche Normalität des demokratischen Kapitalismus nach westlichem Muster etablieren würde, war von Anfang an naiv. Worin bestehen die aktuellen Probleme von Gesellschaften, deren vorbildlose Neugründung nach 1989 von einer Vielzahl von Akteuren in die Wege geleitet wurde?
Claus Offe ist Professor Emeritus für Politische Soziologie an der Hertie School in Berlin und IWM non-resident Permanent Fellow.
The event is the first of two colloquia: Wednesday, 11 December, 4:00pm, Bernd Marin will be speaking – in response to Claus Offe’s colloquium – about the topic Any Future for Welfare Capitalism and a European Social Model – or even Post-Capitalism?
Any Future for Welfare Capitalism and a European Social Model – or even Post-Capitalism?
30 years after the collapse of „Communism“ or European State Socialism, Capitalism isn’t triumphant towards a neo-liberal „End of History“ any longer but crisis-shaken and riven between most dynamic creative disruption and unpredictable self-destructive but also transformative tendencies. This crisis differs significantly across the globe, and also within Europe, between North-Western, Latin, Continental, Central and South-Eastern Europe. Is it, under such adverse circumstances, simply quixotic to ask whether there is any future for Welfare Capitalism and a “European Social Model” – or even Post-Capitalism? The presentation will cover both almost „hopeless“ but also some rather „promising“ cases in point of sustainable future welfare in a Global Europe.
Bernd Marin is director of the European Bureau for Policy Consulting and Social Research in Vienna. Currently, he is a Europe’s Futures Fellow at the IWM.
Comment by Claus Offe
The event is the second of two colloquia: Monday, 9 December, 4:00pm, Claus Offe will be speaking on 30 Jahre nach dem Staatssozialismus: Zehn aktive Baustellen, the colloquium on 11 December is in response.