Public Policy to Reduce Inequalities across Europe

This insightful book delves into the complexities of inequality policies in Europe, highlighting the challenges and varied approaches taken by governments.

In Public Policy to Reduce Inequalities across Europe, the authors explore the multifaceted challenges of addressing social and economic inequality within the European context. The book begins by establishing a consensus among European states and the EU regarding the pressing need to tackle inequality. However, it highlights the complexities and contested nature of inequality policies, suggesting that while there is agreement on the problem, the solutions are far from straightforward. Through a thorough examination of territorial politics and policy, the authors analyze how these challenges manifest in various sectors such as health, education, and gender equity.

The book adopts a dual perspective to better understand the issue. The first perspective focuses on the functional requirements that policymakers believe are necessary for effective policy delivery. It reveals a significant gap between these perceived needs and the actual realities faced in policy implementation. The authors delve into the theory and practice of policy learning to illustrate how this gap affects different sectors, leading to varied outcomes in addressing inequality.

The second perspective emphasizes the importance of territorial politics, examining how interpretations of inequality differ across various scales and the competing demands for responsibility. This contestation results in diverse policy approaches that may or may not complement each other. Ultimately, Public Policy to Reduce Inequalities across Europe argues that governments often pursue multiple equity initiatives without a clear understanding of their coherence, reflecting the inherent complexities of policymaking in a landscape marked by ambiguity and competing values.