Routledge The Price of Gender Equality: Member States and Governance in the European Union (Gender in a Global/Local World)

Product Description This thoroughly researched, well-documented book presents a theoretically guided empirical analysis of developing and implementing gender equality policies in the European Union (EU). In spite of a wealth of research, many questions have long remained unanswered and these are addressed here. The author developed an international relations theoretical framework in order to explain the changing fortunes of women's activism, the changing attitudes of European institutions and the behaviour of member states in a multi-level setting. The book traces the history and development of EU gender policy to the present day and will be inspirational reading for those interested in European governance and the European Union, as well as gender issues and political sociology. Review 'A scholarly and accessible book which uses new theoretical approaches and archival material to explain the uneven and complex trajectory of the European Union's gender equality policy. It provides a useful and detailed case study of EU governance as well as food for thought for gender activists and analysts.' Catherine Hoskyns, Coventry University, UK 'This book takes the reader on a fascinating journey tracking gender equality policies within the maze of the EU multi-tiered system. It fills a gap in the literature by providing an excellent framework for understanding the reasons and dynamics behind the making and implementing of European Union gender equality policies. It offers a valuable and well-documented contribution to the debate on gender politics and governance in the EU that will appeal to both experienced and young scholars.' Emanuela Lombardo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain '[Anna van der Vleuten's] brilliantly detailed and theoretically driven analysis of fifty years of European Union gender equality policies and their impact in four member states of the European Union is an essential reference for both students of European social policy and gender scholars...The empirical story presented here is essential background to understanding the ups and downs of the European equality story.' Journal of Women, Politics and Policy 'If there is a definitive history of gender equality policies in the European Union today, Anna van der Vleuten's The Price of Gender Equality may be it. This gem of a book offers historical depth and detail, gleaned from extensive archival and other primary sources, and combines empirical thoroughness with sophisticated theoretical insight. The result is a captivating story of multilevel politics...It is a wonderful addition to Ashgate Publishing Group's series on "Gender in a Global/Local World", which is rapidly becoming a publication venue of choice for feminist work in international relations.' Politics and Gender About the Author Dr Anna van der Vleuten is is Assistant Professor in IR and European integration in the Department of Political Science at Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands.