SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN SOCIETIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON CRISIS OF DEMOCRACY IN THE CONTEXT OF NEOLIBERAL ECONOMIC POLICY

Анотація

Western economies function in the framework of the neoliberał economic model
which was adopted by EU member states. On the other hand, the suport for liberal
democracy in the West has always been based on the neofunctionalist-welfarist approach
and high standard of living. However, in the course of time, Western economies started
to crumble and the standard of living ceased to increase. In such situation, the support
for democracy has been weakened and an array of social problems appeared which
include: social inequalities, increased nationalism, the rise of right-wing populist
movements, anti-immigrant attitudes, violent street protests or low voter turnout. Anti-
Covid measures and EU green economic policies exacerbated the existing problems.
From the point of view of economic sociology the neoliberal economic theory is fl awed
as its application brings suboptimal economic results for the majority of the population.
In these circumstances, an economic recovery in Western democracies is not probable
and as a result, the populations will increasingly question the credentials of Western
democracy. The ruling elites will try to exploit diff erent emergencies, e.g. health or
climate emergency to save the existing social, economic and political system.
Key words: economic neoliberalism, democracy, economic crisis, anti-system
politics, emergency.