Promoting Solidarity in the European Union

Malcolm Ross editor Yuri Borgmann-Prebil editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:3rd Jun '10

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Promoting Solidarity in the European Union cover

The European Commission has claimed that 'Solidarity is part of how European society works...'. But how are we to understand solidarity, and what are its implications to Government policy? Promoting Solidarity in the European Union addresses the question of what solidarity might mean today and its relevance to the purposes of the European Union and the way it functions. Is solidarity just a slogan or can it have meaningful legal and policy content? Contributions from leading scholars in law, politics, and sociology are brought together in this volume to discuss an idea that is coming under fresh scrutiny at a time when the EU's direction following the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty is hotly debated. The book engages with both the content and limitations of solidarity as a concept in political and legal debate, and its application to specific fields such as migration, education and pensions policies. The book provides a thoughtful and provocative analysis of the power and potential of solidarity, applying a sceptical and rigorous assessment of the conditions necessary for it to make a difference to the European political and legal space at a time when traditional manifestations of national solidarity (e.g. in health care) are perceived to be under threat from EU market liberalization policies. A number of chapters consider whether an EU concept of solidarity is possible and how that might affect the balance between market and social priorities for the Union's future. If the EU is to be more than just a market, promoting solidarity as a value and a principle has a key role. This rich collection of essays explores how solidarity might fulfil its status as a core value for the Union.

Ross and Borgman-Prebil's book is an excellent starting point...debates on solidarity in European law and legal literature in general, which is to be welcomed in the era of societal, economic and political change. * Egle Dagilyte, Legal Studies *
...a very central and impressive contribution, which is highly recommendable not only to EU lawyers, but also to others with a general interest in, e.g., the concept itself, the balance between market and social priorities, the influence of the EU liberalisation policies, the future of the national welfare states, social market economy and the development of a European Social Model. Altogether, I have enjoyed reading the book, which intelligent, timely and well written and edited...a fascinating and important subject. * Ulla Neergaard, University of Copenhagen *

ISBN: 9780199583188

Dimensions: 241mm x 163mm x 30mm

Weight: 666g

332 pages