Unequal Europe - Book panel with Jason Beckfield

The Euro-crisis of 2009-2012 vividly demonstrated that European Union policies matter for the distribution of resources within and between European nation-states. Throughout the crisis, distributive conflicts between the EU's winners and losers worsened, and are still reverberating in European politics today.

In Unequal Europe, Jason Beckfield demonstrates that there is a direct connection between European integration and the increase in European income inequality over the past four decades. He places the recent crisis into a broader sociological, political, and economic perspective by analyzing how European integration has reshaped the distribution of income across the households of Europe. Using individual-and household-level income survey data, combined with macro-level data on social policies, and case studies of welfare reforms in EU and non-EU states, Beckfield shows how European integration has re-stratified Europe by simultaneously drawing national economies closer together and increasing inequality among households. Explaining how, where, and why income inequality has changed in the EU, Unequal Europe answers the question: who wins and who loses from European integration?

Jason Beckfield will present the core argument of the book, after which Janna Besamusca, Brian Burgoon and Frank Vandenbroucke intervene, followed by a discussion with the audience. The session is chaired by Theresa Kuhn.

About the speakers:
Jason Beckfield is Professor of Sociology at Harvard University. His research investigates the institutional causes and consequences of social inequality.

Janna Besamusca is Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Sociology at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on vulnerable groups in the labour market, work and family, collective bargaining agreements and industrial relations

Brian Burgoon is Professor of International and Comparative Political Economy at the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on the politics of economic globalization; of welfare and labor-market policies and standards; and of how economic conditions influence political conflict.

Theresa Kuhn is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. She studies how citizens react to globalization and European integration in their political identities, attitudes, and behaviour.

Frank Vandenbroucke is University Professor at the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on the impact of the EU on the development of social and employment policy in the EU Member States.