EUROPE AND THE POLITICS OF CAPABILITIES; ED. BY ROBERT SALAIS

The social agenda of the European Union is shifting towards broad social initiatives that align social and economic objectives with the promotion of employment. This calls for an action framework that permits social dialogue and political deliberation to inform and complement legislative action at all levels. The debate, however, has been dominated by advocates of traditional welfare states. This book, to break out of this sterile stalemate, demonstrates how an employment-orientated social policy in Europe can develop from a new, different set of policy principles, specifically 'a capability approach'. Taking inspiration from the work of Amartya Sen, this book focuses on the effective freedom people need to achieve their goals in life and work. The result of ongoing collaboration between researchers and social actors, it will appeal to social scientists, students, policy-makers and all those concerned with the building of Europe. This Book Demonstrates How An Employment-oriented Social Policy In Europe Can Develop From A New, Different Set Of Policy Principles, Specifically 'a Capability Approach'. Taking Inspiration From The Work Of Amartya Sen, This Book Focuses On The Effective Freedom People Need To Achieve Their Goals In Life And Work. The Result Of Ongoing Collaboration Between Researchers And Social Actors, It Will Appeal To Social Scientists, Students, Policy Makers And All Those Concerned With The Building Of Europe.--jacket. Preface / Odile Quintin -- 1. Introduction : Europe And The Politics Of Capabilities / Robert Salais And Robert Villeneuve -- 2. Europe Tested Through Its Products : The Renault-vilvoorde Affair And Its Implication For Industry And Employment Policies / Claude Didry -- 3. Competences-oriented Logics And The Politics Of Unemployability / Benedicte Zimmermann -- 4. Regional Capabilities And The European Employment Strategy / Martin Heidenreich -- 5. The Territorial Pacts In Italy : The Competitive Corporatism Assumption In Question / Serafino Negrelli -- 6. Mobilising Local Capabilities For A European Economic Project : The Case Of Marseilles / Pierre-paul Zalio. Edited By Robert Salais And Robert Villeneuve. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Since the mid-1990s the employment and social policy agenda of the European Union has been more focused on employment promotion than on addressing Member States' systems of social protection.