The volume presents the foundations of a social Europe, concrete options for its design, and pathways to a socially oriented European Union. The first part outlines the existing foundations of a social Europe as a constitutive element of EU integration. The second part addresses specific proposals for further developing the social union. In the final part, the problem areas are controversially discussed, highlighting the actors, their interests, and the obstacles on the path to a social Europe. In all three parts, the scientifically grounded contributions to the debate are each commented on by two statements from political practice.