The Contentious Politics of Unemployment in Europe : Welfare States and Political Opportunities

This book provides a novel approach to unemployment as a contested political field in Europe and examines the impact of welfare state regimes, conceived as political opportunity structures specific to this field, public debates and collective mobilizations in unemployment politics. This book provides a novel approach to unemployment as a contested political field in six European countries. Combining two theoretical traditions that so far have followed quite separate tracks (the literature on social movements and contentious politics and the literature on the comparative political economy of the welfare state), it provides evidence about the impact of welfare state regimes, conceived as political opportunity structures specific to this field, on public debates and collective mobilizations in unemployment politics. Using original data from an EU-funded research project, the various contributions show how the prevailing national models of the welfare state influence the contentious politics of unemployment, both in its visible side as claim-making in the public domain and in its less visible side as intervention within policy networks. In addition to national debates and mobilizations, the book also addresses political contention over unemployment at the European level This Book Provides A Novel Approach To Unemployment As A Contested Political Field In Six European Countries. Combining Two Theoretical Traditions That So Far Have Followed Quite Separate Tracks (the Literature On Social Movements And Contentious Politics And The Literature On The Comparative Political Economy Of The Welfare State), It Provides Evidence About The Impact Of Welfare State Regimes, Conceived As Political Opportunity Structures Specific To This Field, On Public Debates And Collective Mobilizations In Unemployment Politics. Using Original Data From An Eu-funded Research Project, The Various Contributions Show How The Prevailing National Models Of The Welfare State Influence The Contentious Politics Of Unemployment, Both In Its Visible Side As Claim-making In The Public Domain And In Its Less Visible Side As Intervention Within Policy Networks. In Addition To National Debates And Mobilizations, The Book Also Addresses Political Contention Over Unemployment At The European Level. Context And Opportunities -- Welfare States, Political Opportunities, And The Claim-making In The Field Of Unemployment Politics / Manlio Cinalli And Marco Giugni -- The Protest On Unemployment : Forms And Opportunities / Donatella Della Porta -- Networks And Political Contention Over Unemployment : A Comparison Of Britain, Germany And Switzerland / Manlio Cinalli And Katharina Füglister -- Actors And Dynamics -- A Precarious Balance Of Interests : Unions And The Unemployed In Europe / Annulla Linders And Marina Kalander -- The Role Of Civil Society Actors In The Contentious Politics Of Unemployment / Simone Baglioni -- Transcending Marginalization : The Mobilization Of The Unemployed In France, Germany, And Italy In A Comparative Perspective / Simone Baglioni, Britta Baumgarten, Didier Chabanet, And Christian Lahusen -- Unemployment Politics And The European Union -- Globalization And The Contentious Politics Of Unemployment : An Empirical Assessment Of The Denationalization And Convergence Theses / Christian Lahusen, Marco Giugni, And Michel Berclaz -- Europeanization And The Eu Supranational Multi-organizational Field Over Unemployment : Elite-dominance Or New Opportunities? / Paul Statham And Manlio Cinalli -- When The Unemployed Challenge The European Union : The European Marches As A Mode Of Externalization Of Protest / Didier Chabanet -- The Contentious Politics Of Unemployment : Some Conclusions / Marco Giugni. Edited By Marco Giugni. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 253-274) And Index.