Social cohesion in Europe is a cornerstone of the integration process. The objectives of social cohesion and economic convergence – i.e. the reduction of the territorial income disparities – have been attributed to the European Cohesion Policy. However, Cohesion Policy and economic convergence are affected by several other economic policies in Europe. This paper traces the evolution of the economic policy agenda of the European Union since the 1980s in the light of the objective of territorial disparities and cohesion. It then discusses the current agenda of the New European Industrial Policy and how this is putting the future of Cohesion Policy at risk.

Read the document