ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the relation between social policy and economics, or, more specifically, macro-economics. The gulf between social policy and economics more apparent than in debates about the European Union, where economists are obsessed with the completion of the Internal Market and with Monetary Union, whereas social policy academics are seeking to prevent the subordination of the social dimension of Europe to economic imperatives. The chapter argues that there is an urgent need for further thought about the links between macro-economic variables and poverty in Europe. Contemporary debate about the European Union has been predominantly concerned with the Maastricht criteria. There can be little doubt that the Maastricht performance criteria have influenced economic policy in the Member States. In order to participate in the first phase of Economic and Monetary Union, Member States must satisfy the convergence criteria laid down in the Treaty. Reading a sample of macro-economic textbooks shows that poverty scarcely features in their account of policy issues.
