Social Contracts are Changing as Europe is Evolving

At CO3 researchers from all over Europe are exploring social contracts — often understood as the foundational agreement between citizens and the state that defines the principles of political and social life.

The impact and drivers of social contracts have become ever more pressing as Europe grapples with rising polarization, crises, and challenges to democracy. In a recently released video conversation, Ivan Krastev — Chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies (CLS) in Sofia and Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna — discusses the stakes of this moment with Ruzha Smilova, Programme Director for political research at the CLS and Lecturer in Political Theory at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. 

In the conversation, Ivan Krastev underlined how the European countries, labor markets, loyalties, social contracts and normative frameworks are changing.  Krastev’s and Smilova’s dialogue sets the tone for the project’s broader exploration of resilience, legitimacy, and democratic renewal.

By combining academic research with real-world data, CO3 contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that support trust and democratic participation — at a time when they are needed most.