Neues Regieren und Soziales Europa: EU-Mindestregulierung und Soft Law in der Praxis

Abstract: What is the effect of EU social policy in the member states? This question concerns material issues (how good is the quality of social rights and standards?) as much as procedural aspects (how is EU social policy implemented and who participates in the process?). It was the aim of a research group at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne to answer these questions on the basis of fresh empirical data, in order to contribute to theory-building in political science and to generate insights of practical use at the same time. This article firstly gives an overview of the research questions and results of this research group. Secondly, it offers information on the research design applied to generate these findings which are not only innovative but also highly relevant politically.;