The European Union: A Political Sociology - Softcover

"A much needed contribution to the study of the European Union from a sociological perspective. Rumford usefully problematises most of the established discourses on European integration and sets the debate in the context of a globalising world." Barrie Axford, Oxford Brookes University "Rumford draws widely and authoritatively on the new political sociology to show its potential for challenging orthodox views on the future of Europe. The result is a very effective argument that globalization as social transformation makes possible multiple Europes beyond the limits of the European Union. This will become a standard text for students of contemporary European politics and society." Martin Albrow, State University of New York, Stony Brook

"The European Union" is the first full-length treatment of European integration from a sociological perspective. It redirects the core concerns of political sociology away from nationally bounded societies towards a 'sociology beyond societies', capable of making a valuable contribution to thinking about the nature and problems of the European Union. Within this broad objective, the book concerns itself with such key issues as the relation between the EU and globalization, the nature of the EU state, and the question of whether a European society can be said to exist. The book also addresses crucial policy areas such as unemployment, citizenship, social exclusion, cohesion, core-periphery relations, the "democratic deficit", and enlargement. Students, scholars, and sociologists interested in the history, development, and legacies of the European Union will find this to be a unique and informative text.