Green European Journal

The Green European Journal Volume 4 examines the intersection of social equality, economic stability, and environmental sustainability in Europe. It argues that rising inequalities are both a cause and consequence of the economic crisis and a driver of unsustainable consumption. The collection includes analyses of the 'precariat' in Poland, the humanitarian crisis in Greece, and the limitations of equality legislation in the UK. Several authors advocate for a shift toward supranational solidarity, suggesting a 'European welfare state' or a universal basic income to replace failing national models. The journal also debates the future of European federalism, calling for a more transparent, democratic 'European Republic' to recover political sovereignty from financial systems.

• Rising inequalities are identified as both a primary cause and a result of the current economic crisis, driven by neoliberal policies and 'structural reforms' that reduced the share of work incomes in European GDP.
• Economic inequality fuels 'consolation consumerism,' where disadvantaged individuals attempt to compensate for social frustration by purchasing unsustainably produced goods, often on credit.
• In Poland, a significant 'precariat' has emerged, particularly among youth; 65% of people under 30 and 85% of those under 24 work in the 'junk job sector' characterized by unstable and precarious employment.
• Greece is described as facing a humanitarian crisis characterized by unemployment exceeding 25%, widespread malnutrition among 400,000 children, and a deteriorating health system.
• The UK's public sector equality duty is criticized as being largely procedural; courts have ruled that authorities only need to have 'due regard' for equality rather than take actual measures to achieve it.
• To combat global and European inequality, a proposed 'quasi-American strategy' suggests implementing a universal basic income funded by an EU-wide value added tax or carbon/energy tax, and creating EU-wide electoral accountability for top decision-makers.
• The European Union is characterized as lacking true democracy, resembling a 'constitutional monarchy' where the European Council acts as the prince and citizens lack a direct mandate to influence policies.
• The Green movement is encouraged to develop a new 'green theory of justice' that integrates environmental dimensions into traditional social, economic, ethnic, and gender inequality measurements.

APA

Green European Journal (2012). Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/GEJ_Vol4.pdf

Chicago

Green European Journal. Green European Journal. 2012. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/GEJ_Vol4.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green European Journal |title=Green European Journal |date=December 2012 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/GEJ_Vol4.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greeneuropeanjournal2012green, author = {{Green European Journal}}, title = {{Green European Journal}}, institution = {Green European Journal}, year = {2012}, month = dec, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/GEJ_Vol4.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }