Post by Università Bocconi

How much #inequality can a #democratic society sustain before it begins to erode itself? Associate Professor Graziella Romeo reflects on the origins and evolution of the #EuropeanWelfare state, arguing that #Solidarity is not simply a policy tool, but a foundational principle of democratic life.    The #European model of social protection did not emerge only from political compromise or economic necessity. It is rooted in a broader philosophical and legal tradition that understands society as a network of interdependence. Since the 19th century, solidarist thought has challenged purely individualistic views of society, emphasizing that citizenship carries not only rights, but also shared responsibilities. Within this framework, social rights have taken on a constitutional dimension. In many European countries, access to healthcare, education and social protection is not treated as a discretionary policy, but as an integral part of #Citizenship. These rights enable individuals to participate fully in democratic life, making political equality meaningful rather than formal.    This approach contrasts with the trajectory followed in the United States, where social protection has largely remained within the realm of public policy rather than constitutional law. There, welfare provisions are often linked to employment or targeted assistance, and the idea of enforceable social rights has faced greater resistance. The European experience, however, has not been without contradictions. At times, social policies have been instrumentalized by authoritarian regimes or have degenerated into forms of clientelism. Yet these distortions do not erase the underlying principle: in the European tradition, #SocialRights are seen as a condition for freedom, not a limitation of it.    Today, this legacy is under pressure. Transformations in #Capitalism, the precarization of work and the growing influence of market logic are reshaping the balance between economic efficiency and social protection. In this context, the central question becomes unavoidable: how much inequality can democracy tolerate? As Romeo highlights, the European answer has historically been clear. Inequality must be counterbalanced by strong guarantees of social rights. Without them, democratic participation risks becoming hollow, and political equality loses substance.  The debate on the future of Europe is therefore not only economic or institutional. It is deeply normative. It concerns the kind of community Europe aims to be, and whether #Democracy can continue to rely on solidarity as its core foundation.