Exploring Inequality in Europe: Diverging Income and Employment Opportunities in the Crisis

Exploring Inequality in Europe: Diverging Income and Employment Opportunities in the Crisis

by Martin Heidenreich (Author)

Synopsis

Europe has become a dominant frame for the generation, regulation and perception of social inequalities. This trend was solidified by the current economic crisis, which is characterized by increasing inequalities between central and peripheral countries and groups. By analysing the double polarization between winners and losers of the crisis, the segmentation of labour markets and the perceived quality of life in Europe, this book contributes to a better understanding of patterns and dynamics of inequality in an integrated Europe. The contributions from experts in the field offer a multi-level perspective. They explore links between objective inequalities and subjective perceptions and frames of reference. They combine the analysis of growing inequalities between different social groups and between central and peripheral countries. Analysis of unemployment and income inequality is based on European-wide micro datasets and the editor argues for both European and national frames of reference for analysis of unemployment and income inequality. Offering new insights on the increasing unemployment and income inequalities in Europe before and during the current financial and Eurozone crisis, this is a vital text. Anyone interested in the challenges of social cohesion in Europe will find this book a rich, innovative resource.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Published: 24 Jun 2016

ISBN 10: 1783476656
ISBN 13: 9781783476657

Media Reviews
`This timely book analyses major developments associated with the process of European integration, which may help to better understand the interactions between national inequality, the
`Exploring Inequality in Europe marks a major advance in the sociology of European integration. Heidenreich's research group moves well beyond methodologically nationalist analyses of income inequality, using Eurostat survey data from before and after the recent recession. They demonstrate that EU citizens understand their own economic fortunes (a) in relative comparison to other EU citizens, and (b) as vulnerable to forces of European integration. This important book should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand how the EU has increased economic inequality and reshaped contemporary distributive politics in Europe.' -- Jason Beckfield, Harvard University, US
`This study marks a major breakthrough in research on European societies. While most of us working in this field still compare a set of national accounts, Martin Heidenreich and his colleagues treat the causes, profiles and consequences of inequality on a Europe-wide basis. This approach enables us to see underlying processes that nationally based projects cannot perceive.' -- Colin Crouch, Vice-president for Social Sciences, British Academy
`This timely book makes a strong case for analyzing patterns and dynamics of social inequality, both cross-nationally and transnationally. It convincingly demonstrates that a multi-faceted double dualization takes place - between social groups and along territorial lines. Moreover, it evinces that processes of horizontal Europeanization and the sovereign debt crises have reshaped the patterns of social inequality and given rise to new social cleavages and forms of conflict' -- Steffen Mau, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
`The importance of the book Exploring Inequality in Europe is twofold: firstly, the topic discussed and analysed in the book is among the most debatable topics of social sciences. The goal of the welfare state is to eliminate poverty and income inequality, i.e., unequal income distribution. . . The second benefit from reading this book is learning what has been happening with income distribution among EU countries. The recent economic crisis and the application of austerity economic policies by countries subject to Economic Adjustment Programmes has affected the distribution of income and shown significant trends of economic convergence in EU countries.' -- South Eastern Europe Journal of Economics
`Overall, this is an interesting and highly policy relevant book, especially in times when policymakers decide upon the increase or reversal of international integration in the EU and more globally. This is also a crucial book in times of heated debates about EU membership in many core member states not to mention the United Kingdom choosing to leave the EU in their national referendum in 2016. Clearly, the volume edited by Heidenreich puts forward a number of crucial questions, and indicates where more research in this area is needed. This book is a good start, and I am sure will inspire other researchers to tackle the questions in the future.' -- European Sociological Review
Author Bio
Edited by Martin Heidenreich, University of Oldenburg, Germany