Back to the Future in EU Social Policy? Endogenous Critical Junctures and the Case of the European Pillar of Social Rights

The launch of the European Pillar Social Rights occurred at a phase endogenous critical juncture for Europe. By analyzing Pillar's formulation and adoption process, we investigate to what extent Commission used involvement civil society policy responsiveness foster change in modes governance legitimize stronger intervention social sphere, by re-launching methods coordination introduced 1990s. Methodologically, rely on content analysis EU documents before after public consultations, over 60 position papers interviews with actors. We find that despite increased openness responsiveness, initiative did not allow alter predominance ‘soft law’ routes patterns intergovernmentalism characterizing policy, result further qualifies conditions lead (endogenous) junctures generate change.