Towards a European System of Social Indicators: Theoretical Framework and System Architecture

Abstract

By developing a “European System of Social Indicators” the scientific community as well as policy makers are being provided with a theoretically well-grounded as well as methodologically sound tool of social measurement to be used to continuously monitor and analyse the development of welfare as well as general trends of social change in European societies. The article focuses on the development of a conceptual framework, to be used to guide and justify the selection of measurement dimensions and indicators. Based on an extensive review of theoretical concepts of welfare and an exploration of political goals of societal development at the European level, six major categories of goal dimensions, referring to the concepts of quality of life, social cohesion and sustainability have been identified as the backbones of the conceptual framework. In addition, the article presents the main features of the architecture of the European System of Social Indicators and lays out its main structural elements and characteristics.