The Politics of Social In/Exclusion in the EU

“Moving beyond a market-centric paradigm of social in/exclusion, this book critically interrogates the push/pull socio-political factors by which marginalised groups are simultaneously included and excluded across the EU. This sensitive and thought-provoking account highlights the progress being made, the obstacles that remain, and the need for all EU students to rethink conceptualisations and understandings of equality.” –Paul Copeland, School of Politics and International Relations, Queen Mary University of London, UK This volume provides an updated analysis of the most significant constitutive aspects for the political sociology of the EU. It examines in detail how civic and political activism regarding the inclusion and integration of gender and sexual minorities, as well as migrants and refugees, have become substantial forces in Europe today. It exhibits a political sociology perspective that moves away from thepredominant state-centrism and institutional focus in mainstream analyses of European politics. It brings to the fore the role of citizens, civil society and identity politics as well as transnational societal phenomena impacting on the ambivalent civic in/exclusion tendencies prevalent in the EU. The book highlights the linkage of EU institutions and policies to established and new societal actors in response to recent challenges of the EU. Markus Thiel is Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations and Director of the EU-Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, Florida International University, USA. Ernesto Fiocchetto is Research Assistant at the EU-Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, Florida International University, USA. Jeffrey D. Maslanik is Visiting Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Vietnam National University, Vietnam.