What is Europe? Who is European? And how is the very idea of Europe created? Looking at its past, present and future, this interdisciplinary book provides a comprehensive introduction to Europe. It discusses the key issues in European politics, culture and society, and provides a historical overview of the creation of the idea of Europe, with particular attention to the process of European integration. Section one examines the historical roots of Europe, from its Graeco-Roman heritage and Christian traditions, to the creation of the European Union. Section two looks at key ideas such as...

This exciting book, newly available in paperback, investigates the scope of maternity legislation and family-friendly policies in the European Union. The wider context of the analysis is the development of equal rights as part of a European social dimension. The book is concerned with the influence of values and beliefs about women, equality, politics and employment on the scope of equal rights and maternity provisions. It provides answers to the following questions - what are the stated objectives of family-friendly policies? Which values transpire from the analysis of maternity rights? How...