Introduction

This chapter provides a thorough and critical evaluation of the EES and, in particular, it

brings together the theoretical and empirical findings of the book to assess the legitimacy

and effectiveness of the Employment Strategy in the wider context of EU social govern-

ance. In particular, the chapter examines the main strengths and weaknesses of the EES

and its implementation through the OMC within the economic constitution and the

overarching economic objectives of the European Union. It then utilizes the governance

model elaborated in Chapter 2 which aims at strengthening the relationship between New

Governance, law and constitutionalism. It is posited that such a renewed relationship

may help overcome the EES’s regulatory deficiencies without incorporating it into the

“command and control” rationale of the classical modes of governance within the Com-

munity Method. The application of the above hybrid governance model could also

provide the conditions for solving some of the more complex problems concerning the

European Union.