Economy and Society in Europe

A Relationship in Crisis

Edited by Luigi Burroni, Associate Professor of Economic Sociology, University of Teramo, Italy, Maarten Keune, Professor of Social Security and Labour Relations, AIAS-HSI, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Guglielmo Meardi, Dipartimento di Scienze Politico-Sociali, Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy

While an economy is always ‘embedded’ in society, the relationship between the two is undergoing profound changes in Europe, resulting in widespread instability which is emphasised by the current crisis. This book analyses these changes, and in particular pressures of intensifying international competition, globalization and financialization within Europe.

‘This volume is a welcome contribution from economic-sociological perspectives to debates on capitalist diversity that have been so prevalent over the past fifteen years. . . the volume is well organised. . . this volume does a better job than most in the field in seeking to address contemporary debates and issues.’
– Ian Bruff, Journal of Contemporary European Studies

‘Drawing on the development of economic sociology over the past 40 years, this book brings together leading scholars to explore the relationship between social institutions on economic processes. Inspired in particular by the innovative and creative dimensions of Colin Crouch’s work, they signpost directions for future research. It will be an important reader for international scholars exploring the unfolding dimensions of contemporary relations in economy and society.’
– Jacqueline O’Reilly, University of Brighton Business School, UK

‘Improving our understanding of how economy and society interrelate in Europe is of paramount importance. The rigorous and thought-provoking analyses about the interaction between markets and the institutions of society contained in this book undoubtedly represent an excellent example of how this improvement can be achieved, especially in these times of crisis.’
– Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, London School of Economics, UK

‘This book offers a refreshing account of the deep changes occurring over recent years in the relationship between economy and society in Europe. This is of course a classical theme since Max Weber’s work, but the social institutions which shape economic performance have profoundly evolved, as have the analytical categories used to understand them. The contributions in this volume provide a broad and interesting perspective, dealing with issues as varied as industrial relations, welfare regimes, families and the labour market, universities, local governance and many others. In the wake of the financial crisis, the major theories on the role of such institutions are found partly unsatisfactory, as the boundaries between economy and society are constantly shifting. Everyone interested in improving our analytical tools to understand the direction of change in Europe should welcome this book.’
– Marino Regini, University of Milan, Italy