A New Social Wind

Abstract

Abstract This chapter re-examines the new social thrust that came to the European Community (EC) at the dawn of the 1970s (1969–72). The first works of the EC on social policy after the Hague Summit showed some will to develop the social activity and image of the EC but did not modify the productivist and market-oriented inspiration of European social policy, nor did it improve the association of labour organizations with European policy making. As western Europe experienced a turn to the left and enlargement to include new members would increase the influence of social democracy within the EC, however, a redefinition of the social goals of ‘Europe’ seemed increasingly plausible. Brandt’s government played a decisive role in this regard in the run-up to the October 1972 Paris Summit, which would mark the apex (perhaps the twilight) of European elites’ new social intentions.