ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the European social model (ESM) as it emerges from policies pursued at the level of the EU, in particular the European Employment Strategy and coordination of social policies. It asks in particular how and to what extent European policies resemble transitional labour markets (TLM) policies. The TLM concept is thereby used as a heuristic device in assessing European policies, and special attention is paid to reflexive legal instruments that aim at increasing flexibility in transitions within the labour market. A radical shake-up of employment policies at the European Council summit in Essen in December 1994 led to a greater role for the Commission and the Council in monitoring labour market and social policies at national level. The concept of the ESM emerged in the 1980s in European welfare state discussions that tried to reconcile economic growth and social protection.
