Basic Social Security in the 21st century

An ever-faster changing demographic, varieties in individual lifestyles, multi-ethnical societies, a whole new understanding of the work environment, digitalisation, and new forms of mobility (or meta-mobility) have put pressure on our existing (national) systems. Furthermore, disruptions and crises such as climate change and the coronavirus pandemic add further complexity to an already changing society. Yet, European welfare state models,with established comprehensive benefit schemes in almost all EU member states, appear not to have adapted to these changes. Old social systems were historically based on a less complex, less global, less interconnected and less individualised society. However, these old structures are not adapted to these new parameters, resulting in a number of implications.