| Abstract [eng] |
The Eco-Social State in the European Union: Exploring the Relationship between Welfare and Climate Policies in the Member States This master's thesis analyzes the relationship between the social and climate policies of the European Union member states and examines the concept of the eco–social state. In the era of the climate crisis, the need for a close link between social and climate policies is particularly acute. An attempt is made to answer the question of whether greater state efforts in the social field lead to a similarly stronger commitment in climate policy, or whether a greater focus on one means less attention on another. The theoretical part discusses the challenges of climate change for social policy, presents the concept of climate justice. The similarities and differences between the ecological and the welfare state are also examined. The importance of the eco–social state is substantiated and its models are presented. Statistical methods such as descriptive statistics and cluster analysis are used to study the relationship between social and climate policy. With the help of descriptive statistics, the countries of the European Union are analyzed in terms of achievements in both policy areas, and an attempt is made to determine whether there is a link between social and climate policy results. Meanwhile, hierarchical cluster analysis allows countries to be grouped according to social and climate indicators and compared to the traditional classification of welfare states. The study found that countries that provide significant funding for traditional social problems also perform better in climate change adaptation and mitigation policies, namely by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in effort–sharing sectors and final energy consumption. It was found that welfare states in a social democratic regime are better prepared to address climate change than countries representing other types of welfare states. In addition, the study revealed that clusters of EU member states in terms of social and climate indicators (eco–social state models) are close to their membership in the traditional classification of welfare states. Applying the Koch–Fritz model of eco–social states, social democratic welfare states are classified as established eco–social states. Conservative-corporate and liberal welfare states could be called eco–social states with average results. Given the blocs of Southern European and Eastern Europe welfare states, which fluctuate on both the best and worst social and climate change mitigation outcomes, they could be classified as failed–emerging eco–social states. |
