SOCIAL-POLICY IN A FEDERAL EUROPE

The European Union has a federal structure, in which each citizen is s ubject to two governments. The position of social policy within the fe deration is contested, but the EU has gradually developed powers throu gh the extension of ifs competence, direct intervention in social welf are issues and the push for ''convergence'', or agreement on minimum s tandards. Consistent with its federal nature, the European model of th e welfare stab is bared on convergence, integration of the excluded an d social protection through the gradual extension of solidarity. The p recise role that the federal government will take on within this is un clear, but it is already having a major impact on social welfare and i ts influence is likely to increase.