Struggling for a Social Europe
Neoliberal Globalization and the Birth of a European Social Movement
Andy Mathers
ISBN-13 978-0-7546-4580-1
Protests at summit meetings have inspired intense debate over the
nature and significance of the 'anti-globalization' or 'anti-
capitalist’ movement. However, the European dimension of this
movement is still largely unknown. In this insightful book Andy
Mathers addresses this deficit by focusing on events that have marked
the birth of a European social movement.
He relates the development of the movement to key matters such as
economic, employment and welfare state restructuring along neoliberal
lines. He also challenges ideas about the nature of contemporary
collective action and the character of present day social movements.
Mathers discusses the significance of the movement and its future
development through a critical engagement with the work of major
writers in European sociology and of academics influential in the
wider global movement such as Pierre Bourdieu.
A postscript brings readers fully up-to-date with developments in the
type of 'social Europe' propagated by the institutions of the EU as
well as in the maturation of a social movement to oppose it.
 Contents
Introduction: struggling for a social Europe; The decline of labour
and the rise of the new social movements in the work of the new
social democratic left; Investigating the struggle for a social
Europe; Protesting Europe: the European marches to Amsterdam, Cologne
and Nice; A Europe of citizens; A different Europe; The European
marches, social Europe, and the limits of the new reformism;
Postscript; Appendix; Selected bibliography; Index.
 Reviews
'Andy Mathers has written a timely book. His subject is transnational
mobilizing, a topic whose importance has only increased in the period
since his original investigation. Anyone interested in contemporary
popular protest should read and learn. The book’s argument for a
class analysis of social movements needs to be heard widely amongst
activists and academics alike.'
Colin Barker, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
'Based on a detailed study of the European Marches movement as a
"researcher-activist", Andy Mathers provides a powerful class
analysis of contemporary social movements. He puts labour right at
the heart of resistance to neo-liberal globalisation, exactly where
it should be. A must-read for all critical academics, progressive
trade unionists and social movement activists alike.'
Professor Andreas Bieler, University of Nottingham, UK
 About the Author/Editor
Andy Mathers is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sociology,
University of the West of England, UK.
 Further Information
Affiliation: Andy Mathers, University of the West of England, UK
ISBN: 0 7546 4580 0
Publication Date: 07/2007
Number of Pages: 224 pages
Binding: Hardback
Binding Options: Available in Hardback only
Book Size: 234 x 156 mm
British Library Reference: 303.4'84'094
Library of Congress Reference: 2006100190
