Description
Book SynopsisThis book challenges the common view that social protection is exclusively a national concern with EU social policy fragmented and merely symbolic. Through eleven country studies, the book reveals that EU-level developments increasingly interact with social protection in all countries - a remarkable transformation from ten years ago. Using the same thematic framework, the book systematically compares how Europeanisation of social protection differs across countries chosen to reflect increasing EU diversity. For each country, specialists in social protection evaluate the form and extent of Europeanisation, comparing national strategies with the European social model. They examine recent reforms and responses to EU initiatives, including the Lisbon strategy and the open method of coordination, the extension of the internal market to services, the Economic and Monetary Union and EU enlargement. Differences in Europeanisation reflect not only different political legacies but also different adjustment pressures in terms of national welfare regime and degree of competitiveness. "Europeanisation of social protection" brings together both new evidence and new perspectives, making it essential reading for everyone interested in the changing patterns of social policy in Europe.
Trade Review"An excellent book focusing on how national social policy has been shaped by the developments in the EU. Very good editing, informative and thought-provoking." Antonios Roumpakis, University of Bath
"...a very readable and instructive insight...." Journal of Contemporary European Studies, Vol 16:2, 2008.
"This is an informative book which will serve as a useful reference for anyone interested in developments in social policy in Europe today." J of Sociology and Social Welfare Vol 36:3, 2008
"Focusing on the interaction between supranational EU policy initiatives and national social policies, this carefully edited book fills an important gap in the comparative literature on European welfare states. This volume produced by prestigious welfare state researchers will become required reading for any student of social policies in the enlarged European Union." Professor Jens Alber, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (Social Science Center Berlin)
"The relationship between the EU and national welfare states has become increasingly controversial. However, we lack systematic knowledge about the specific influences that the integration process is exerting on domestic social policies - and vice versa. This excellent book makes a step in this direction. By analysing the experience of eleven Member States, the book casts new light on the growing 'Europeanization' of social protection and provides precious insights for both academic and political debates." Professor Maurizio Ferrera, University of Milan
AUTHOR WANTS TO USE BOTH TESTIMONIALS ON BACK COVER
Table of ContentsEuropean Union developments and national social protection ~ Juho Saari and Jon Kvist; Germany: moving towards Europe but putting national autonomy first ~ Milena Büchs and Karl Hinrichs; The United Kingdom: more an economic than a social European ~ Julian Le Grand, Elias Mossialos and Morgan Long; France: defending our model ~ Bruno Palier and Luana Petrescu; Italy: between indifference, exploitation and the construction of a national interest ~ Stefano Sacchi; Poland: redefining social policies ~ Irena Wóycicka and Maciej Grabowski; Spain: starting from periphery, becoming centre ~ Ana Guillén; The Czech Republic: tradition compatible with modernisation? ~ Martin Potucek; Finland: towards more proactive policies ~ Juho Saari and Olli Kangas; The Netherlands: social and economic normalisation in an era of European Union controversy ~ Anton Hemerijck and Peter Sleegers; Denmark: From foot dragging to pace setting in European Union social policy ~ Jon Kvist; Greece: the quest for national welfare expansion through more social Europe ~ Theodoros Sakellaropoulos; The Europeanisation of social protection: domestic impact and national responses ~ Jon Kvist and Juho Saari; Seeking a new balance ~ Juho Saari and Kari Välimäki.
