Conclusion: bringing together the eco‐social debate and established political science perspectives: synergies and new research pathways

This symposium makes a frst step in bridging the emerging eco-social debate and the established political science theories and concepts, indicating the mutually bene- fcial analytical perspectives and common research pathways that may arise. In addi- tion to identifying several aspects in the policy, politics and polity dimensions that appear to be particularly relevant in view of the emerging eco-social policies, this collection of articles points out two cross-cutting themes, namely the transformation of the welfare state set-ups, and new cleavages and power relations, which pose new questions and open a promising research agenda for political scientists.