Welfare markets in Europe: the democratic challenge of European integration

This book explores theEuropean welfare model, arguing that the rollout of European policiesfor welfare services has led to increased marketization. The author argues thatthe rise of profit-making in utilities, transport, child and health care isexacerbating rather than reducing inequalities among citizens, demonstratinghow the marketization of European welfare has taken place oversuccessive rounds of policymaking for European integration.

These rounds have motivatednational level public services reform, as well as contestation over thesemeasures from civil society groups. The study traces the developments ofpolicymaking at EU level since the late 1980s, offers in-depth studies ofcontentious debates which have sealed the fate of welfare services at the turnof the century, and offers insights on the problems involved with prolongedausterity in Europe. This book therefore shows how European integration isprovoking a democratic challenge to what kind of Europe citizens want.