Assessing the open method of coordination: institutional design and national influence of EU social policy coordination

Based on the findings of a large-scale, comparative research project, this book systematically assesses the institutional design and national influence of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) on Social Inclusion and Social Protection, at the European Union (EU) level and in ten EU Member States. Besides offering novel empirical and theoretical insights into the operation and impact of the OMC, the book presents an up-to-date perspective on the future of social policy coordination within the Europe 2020 Strategy. The book is required reading for anyone concerned with understanding the contribution of new forms of governance to the past and future development of Social Europe

Returning Home at Times of Trouble? Return Migration of EU Enlargement Migrants during the Crisis

Return migration is crucial for sending countries, given that it might alleviate the potential negative consequences of the brain-drain and care-drain, and it is becoming increasingly important in post-enlargement Europe. This chapter provides a systematic analysis of its emerging evidence. While the on-going economic crisis might have accelerated the returns of some of these migrants, given that several new member states, particularly the Baltics, were hit relatively more by the crisis than several destination countries, return migration might be delayed