Eco-social policies in a multilevel setup: from Brussels to Berlin

Abstract

AbstractThis paper examines the intersection of eco-social policies and multilevel governance within the framework of the European Green Deal (EGD), focusing on Germany as a case study. We explore how German stakeholders employ the EGD as a framing tool for socio-political discourses aimed at addressing the social risks of the green transition by promoting (or not promoting) integrated social and ecological policies. Applying the ‘usages of Europe’ framework, our empirical analysis of expert interviews reveals that the EGD serves more as a flexible framework for ideological contestation rather than a set of prescriptive guidelines, reflecting diverging political ideologies and economic priorities. The findings highlight minimal conflictual politicization, with debates centering more on the choice of instruments rather than on eco-social policies themselves or the necessity to adopt them at the domestic level. The study underscores the nuanced interplay between European initiatives and national policy debates, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex governance paradigms that shape eco-social transformations in the age of the EGD.