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

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 characterised by increasing inequalities between central and peripheral countries and groups. By analysing the double polarisation 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. Contributors include: F. Buttler, M. Heidenreich, C. Ingensiep, S. Israel, J. Preunkert, C. Reimann

Table of Contents:
Contents: 1. Introduction: the Double Dualization of Inequality in Europe Martin Heidenreich 2. The Europeanization of Income Inequality Before and During the Eurozone Crisis: Inter-, Supra- and Transnational Perspectives Martin Heidenreich 3. Determinants of Persistent Poverty. Do Institutional Factors Matter? Cathrin Ingensiep 4. The Segmentation of European Labour Market – The Evolution of Short- and Long-term Unemployment Risks During the Eurozone Crisis Martin Heidenreich 5. Women as the Relative Winners of the Eurozone Crisis? Female Employment Opportunities between Austerity, Inclusion and Dualization Martin Heidenreich 6. Temporary Employment and Labour Market Segmentation in Europe 2002–2013 Christian Reimann 7. The Europeanization of Social Determinants and Health in the Great Recession Sabine Israel 8. Does Europeanization of Daily Life Increase the Life Satisfaction of the Europeans? Franziska Buttler 9. The European Integration Process and the Social Consequences of the Crisis Jenny Preunkert Index

About the Author :
Edited by Martin Heidenreich, University of Oldenburg, Germany

Review :
‘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.’ ‘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.’ ‘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’