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This paper analyses both theoretically and empirically, the relationship between inequality and social cohesion, where social cohesion is conceptualized as a multi-faceted phenomenon encompassing three core attributes: trust, inclusive identity and cooperation for the common good. These attributes operate along two dimensions: the horizontal and the vertical dimension. First, it provides an overview of the empirical evidence regarding the relationship between inequality and the three attributes of social cohesion. While inequality is likely to have a negative effect on all three attributes, the intensity of the relationship may depend on some key mediating factors. The empirical analysis focuses on Africa, given the scarce evidence for this continent. As expected, it shows that countries with higher income inequality usually have lower levels of social cohesion, measured by an aggregate index. This negative correlation holds when the three attributes of social cohesion are examined separately; however, the intensity varies. It is stronger for trust than for identity and cooperation. Further analysis indicates that a clear negative relationship between inequality and social cohesion attributes is visible only when the focus is on the horizontal dimension of social cohesion.

This paper analyses both theoretically and empirically, the relationship between inequality and social cohesion, where social cohesion is conceptualized as a multi-faceted phenomenon encompassing three core attributes: trust, inclusive identity and cooperation for the common good. These attributes operate along two dimensions: the horizontal and the vertical dimension. First, it provides an overview of the empirical evidence regarding the relationship between inequality and the three attributes of social cohesion. While inequality is likely to have a negative effect on all three attributes, the intensity of the relationship may depend on some key mediating factors. The empirical analysis focuses on Africa, given the scarce evidence for this continent. As expected, it shows that countries with higher income inequality usually have lower levels of social cohesion, measured by an aggregate index. This negative correlation holds when the three attributes of social cohesion are examined separately; however, the intensity varies. It is stronger for trust than for identity and cooperation. Further analysis indicates that a clear negative relationship between inequality and social cohesion attributes is visible only when the focus is on the horizontal dimension of social cohesion.

This paper analyses both theoretically and empirically, the relationship between inequality and social cohesion, where social cohesion is conceptualized as a multi-faceted phenomenon encompassing three core attributes: trust, inclusive identity and cooperation for the common good. These attributes operate along two dimensions: the horizontal and the vertical dimension. First, it provides an overview of the empirical evidence regarding the relationship between inequality and the three attributes of social cohesion. While inequality is likely to have a negative effect on all three attributes, the intensity of the relationship may depend on some key mediating factors. The empirical analysis focuses on Africa, given the scarce evidence for this continent. As expected, it shows that countries with higher income inequality usually have lower levels of social cohesion, measured by an aggregate index. This negative correlation holds when the three attributes of social cohesion are examined separately; however, the intensity varies. It is stronger for trust than for identity and cooperation. Further analysis indicates that a clear negative relationship between inequality and social cohesion attributes is visible only when the focus is on the horizontal dimension of social cohesion.

L'UE débat actuellement pour savoir si elle doit dévoiler sa nouvelle stratégie de sécurité avant ou après le sommet de l'OTAN prévu en juillet.

The post L’UE débat du moment opportun pour dévoiler sa nouvelle stratégie de sécurité appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Written by Laurence Amand-Eeckhout.

CONTEXT

On 16 December 2025, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation to simplify the rules governing medical devices in the EU. The proposal forms part of a broader package of measures aimed at improving citizens’ health and strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the health sector. An evaluation of the current EU regulatory framework for medical devices concluded that it has led to unnecessary costs, administrative bottlenecks, regulatory uncertainty for companies, and delays in patient access to medical devices. The proposed revision seeks to address these challenges while ensuring that patient safety remains the highest priority, with faster access to safe and innovative devices. It also aims to reinforce the EU’s competitiveness in the medical technology sector, by establishing a more coherent framework enabling companies to better respond to evolving market conditions, technological developments and patient needs.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL

2025/0404(COD) – Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards simplifying and reducing the burden of the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/123 as regards the support of the European Medicines Agency for the expert panels on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 as regards the list of Union harmonisation legislation referred to in its Annex I – COM(2025) 1023, 16 December 2025.

NEXT STEPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For the latest developments in this legislative procedure, see the Legislative Train Schedule: 2025/0404(COD)

Read the complete briefing on ‘Medical devices: Simplifying the rules‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Am Mittwoch nahm das Europäische Parlament seine Vorschläge zur Schaffung eines EU-Binnenmarktes für Verteidigung und zur Schließung kritischer Verteidigungslücken der EU an.
Ausschuss für Sicherheit und Verteidigung

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Am Mittwoch nahm das Europäische Parlament seine Vorschläge zur Schaffung eines EU-Binnenmarktes für Verteidigung und zur Schließung kritischer Verteidigungslücken der EU an.
Ausschuss für Sicherheit und Verteidigung

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Die Abgeordneten fordern eine engere Zusammenarbeit zwischen der EU und Kanada, um Sicherheitsbedrohungen zu bekämpfen und den Handel angesichts geopolitischer Spannungen zu stärken.
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Die Abgeordneten fordern eine engere Zusammenarbeit zwischen der EU und Kanada, um Sicherheitsbedrohungen zu bekämpfen und den Handel angesichts geopolitischer Spannungen zu stärken.
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

On Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed MEPs, highlighting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and his country’s EU membership aspirations.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed MEPs, highlighting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and his country’s EU membership aspirations.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed MEPs, highlighting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and his country’s EU membership aspirations.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On Wednesday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed MEPs, highlighting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and his country’s EU membership aspirations.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Das Parlament fordert einen Aktionsplan zur Stärkung der Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie für Frauen sowie zur Verbesserung der Arbeitsbedingungen und der Lohngerechtigkeit.
Ausschuss für Beschäftigung und soziale Angelegenheiten
Ausschuss für die Rechte der Frauen und die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

A szerdán elfogadott jelentés hangsúlyozza, hogy a bővítés stratégiai válasz a változó geopolitikai valóságra, és létfontosságú befektetés az EU biztonságába és stabilitásába.
Külügyi Bizottság

Forrás : © Európai Unió, 2026 - EP

In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say that enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the EU’s security and stability.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say that enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the EU’s security and stability.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In a report adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say that enlargement is a strategic response to the evolving geopolitical reality and a vital investment in the EU’s security and stability.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Die Abgeordneten stimmten für die Verlängerung einer Ausnahmeregelung des EU-Datenschutzgesetzes, um Internetunternehmen die freiwillige Erkennung von Material zu ermöglichen.
Ausschuss für bürgerliche Freiheiten, Justiz und Inneres

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

"The markets are clearly reacting with extreme sensitivity at present because no one knows how long the Strait of Hormuz will remain impassable," the German economy and energy minister said