Fighting Poverty and Social Exclusion in the EU

An exemplary multi-level comparative study of the Europe 2020 anti-poverty strategy, based on a rigorous analytical framework. A particular strength of the volume is its actor-centred approach and process-tracing methodology, which demonstrates the crucial role of domestic opposition and support in shaping the national effects of the EU's poverty-reduction target. - Jonathan Zeitlin, Professor of Public Policy and Governance, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Through a collection of very well-carried out analyses about the effects of European soft law and policy in member states, the book sheds lights on the complex, yet tangible effects of social Europe, during the Great Recession, even if the EU instruments cannot and should not solve the issues of unemployment and poverty. A must-read for scholars and students of political economy and social policy. - Caroline de la Porte, Professor in European and Comparative Welfare Policy, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. This volume is unique in providing the kind of detailed research and reflection that is essential to investigating the impact of Europe 2020 in addressing poverty in Europe. When readers finish this collection of chapters, they will be in doubt about the significance - but differential roll-out and effects - of Europe 2020 from a poverty perspective and the political and institutional factors at national and supranational level that condition the achievements and outcomes. - Mary Daly, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Oxford, UK. This book provides an excellent discussion of the role the EU plays in policies against poverty and social exclusion, buttressed by six country case studies. Its careful analysis, which takes into account both outcomes and procedures, leads to nuanced and useful conclusions on the limits, the persistent relevance, and the potential of European initiatives in the domain of poverty and social exclusion. - Frank Vandenbroucke, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.