Exploring European Social Policy
1. Edition June 2000
272 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
With the growing challenges of economic globalization and national
welfare state retrenchment, the development and future of EU social
policy has become increasingly important. This exciting new
textbook provides a comprehensive, detailed and up-to-date overview
of this contested area and examines whether EU social policy is
strengthening or weakening European social policy regimes.
The book begins with a general outline of the postwar
development of EU social policy and its evolving relationship to
the theory and practice of European integration. Then it provides a
detailed and theoretically engaged description of the main areas of
EU social policy including: labour, gender, anti-poverty,
anti-discrimination, elderly, disability, youth, and public health
policy. There is also a chapter exploring the social policy role of
the structural funds, particularly the European Social Fund. The
book concludes by arguing against both sides of the
strengthening/weakening debate, calling for a more subtle analysis
of the effects of EU social policy on national social policy
regimes.
This book is the most up-to-date and comprehensive available and
offers the reader a detailed and accessible exploration of the
area. It will be essential reading for anyone studying the EU or
national social policy, as well as for practitioners in the
field.
Introduction.
1. European Social Policy 1950-1969.
2. TEuropean Social Policy 1970-1999.
3. Labour Policy: Core Areas.
4. Labour Policy: Extensions.
5. Gender Policy: From Article 119 to "Mainstreaming".
6. The Structural Funds and the European Social Fund.
7. Expansion and Extensions I.
8. Expansion and Extensions II.
9. The Future of European Social Policy.
Appendix.
Notes.
References.
Index.
market, the single currency and the like - raises major questions
about the role of the EU in social policy and the sustainability of
different national models. Geyer's book provides a timely,
well-informed discussion of these pressing issues, combining
theoretical reflection with history and detailed empirical
analysis. Its accessible style means that students, policy
specialists, and tutors can each benefit from it.'Professor
Kevin Featherstone, Department of European Studies, Bradford
University
'Geyer considers European Union social policy broadly over the
past half century, including issues of employment, gender,
antipoverty, health and safety, youth and the elderly, and focuses
on the late 1980s and early 1990s ... Geyer has provided a firm and
useful base upon which future scholars can build. Carefully
researched with an extensive bibliography.' Choice