Converging Europe: Transformation of Social Policy in the Enlarged European Union and in Turkey
Keywords:
EU social policy, Lisbon Strategy, policy convergence, economic crisis impact, flexicurity model, pension systemsAbstract
The book Converging Europe: Transformation of Social Policy in the Enlarged European Union and in Turkey, edited by İpek Eren Vural, examines the mixed impact of the Lisbon Strategy (2000-2010) on social policy convergence across the European Union (EU). The volume assesses how EU integration influenced social policies in senior member states, new Central and Eastern European members, and Turkey, while also evaluating the disruptive effects of the 2007-2009 economic crisis. Using Eurostat data, contributors analyze trends in employment, poverty, flexicurity, pensions, welfare states, and gender equality through four conceptual strategies outlined by Julia S. O’Connor: 'growing together,' catch-up convergence, ranking change convergence, and minimizing distance from an exemplary model. The book highlights uneven policy convergence across member states and policy domains, emphasizing the complexities introduced by economic crises and national differences.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
