WP 2 operationalises the results of WP1 for further analysis in comparative qualitative research. It identifies which legal instruments both in the EU Treaties and its secondary law, and in the agreements between the EU and the neighbouring countries under investigation will be the subject of socio-legal comparison and qualitative analysis in WP 3. The areas covered are summarised in the table below.
| Intensity of governance | Liberal/economic rights | Social rights | Digital rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct effect uncontested | e.g. Economic freedoms | e.g Treaty/ CFREU rights working time, regulations on social security | e.g. General Data Protection Regulation |
| CFREU provisions/ Directives on anti-discrimination law | |||
| Harmonisation (needs implementation) | e.g directive on services in the internal market | e.g. directive on transparent and predictable working conditions | e.g e-commerce-directive |
| Not legally binding | e.g. Council recommendation on safe free movement during COVID-19 | e.g directive on minimum wage | e.g. guidelines on application of EU competition law to platform workers |
| EU level agreements, normative aspiration | To be identified | e.g. EU Social Partner Framework Agreement on Digitalisation | |
| RQ 2: What are the preconditions for the functionality of integration through rights in a multi-polar entity such as the EU? Can similar functions be fulfilled in the EU’s neighbourhood based on agreements such as the EEA Agreement and the agreements on the relationship with the UK? |