Societal trends in Europe have never been studied systematically. This book rectifies that. It analyzes current social patterns in Europe, covering major topics of social concern and sociological relevance such as Consumption, Power Structure and Sexuality.

European integration is one of the most ambitious and socially far-reaching developments in world politics and in world economics. Against growing opposition and despite increasing social heterogeneity, the European Union continues to expand and to acquire new competences. But to what extent is the self-proclaimed "ever closer union among the peoples of Europe" a social reality? In which ways is the political European project anchored in social developments? How does social change impinge upon political integration?

Societal trends in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and socially diverse Europe have never been studied systematically. Handbook of European Societies: Social Transformations in the 21st Century sets to rectify this neglect of societal developments in Europe, providing a groundwork for the sociology of European integration. The book portrays social life and social relations in the enlarged Europe, and gives a perspective on the European Union as an evolving social entity.

Handbook of European Societies is a pioneering source book analyzing the current social patterns on the continent. It covers a representative selection of major topics of social concern and sociological relevance, such as Collective Action, Consumption, Identity, Power Structure, Sexuality, Stratification and Well-being. Each contribution probes key developments in a strictly comparative manner. The Handbook thus offers a detailed look into the intricacies of the national societies of Europe and into the prospect of an emerging European society.

The Editors have enlisted leading researchers to synthesize existing knowledge and to make use of many different data sources in a straight-forward style. The contributions stay away from jargon, simple labeling and sweeping assertions. Instead, they provide solid and accessible information on a wide variety of social trends and processes within and across European societies.

Introduction
Stefan Immerfall and Göran Therborn

Chapter 1: Associations and Community
Stefan Immerfall, Eckhard Priller, and Jan Delhey

Chapter 2: Bureaucracy and the State
Guy B. Peters

Chapter 3: Cities
Patrick Le Galès and Göran Therborn

Chapter 4: Political Transformations
Sten Berglund and Joakim Ekman

Chapter 5: Collective Action
Dieter Rucht

Chapter 6: Crime and Justice
Rosemary Barberet and Matti Joutsen

Chapter 7: Culture
Jürgen Gerhards

Chapter 8: Education
Walter Müller and Irena Kogan

Chapter 9: Elites and Power Structure
Michael Hartmann

Chapter 10: Identity
Stefan Immerfall, Klaus Boehnke, and Dirk Baier

Chapter 11: Leisure and Consumption
Jukka Gronow and Dale Southerton

Chapter 12: Life Course
Heather Hofmeister

Chapter 13: Population
Tony Fahey

Chapter 14: Religion and Churches
Roberto Cipriani

Chapter 15: Sexuality and Family Formation
Elina Haavio-Mannila and Anna Rotkirch

Chapter 16: Stratification and Social Mobility
Péter Róbert

Chapter 17: Transnationality
Steffen Mau and Sebastian Büttner

Chapter 18: Welfare States
Thomas Bahle, Jürgen Kohl, and Claus Wendt

Chapter 19: Well-being and Inequality
Petra Böhnke and Ulrich Kohler

Chapter 20: Conclusion: European Integration and the Elusive European Dream
Stefan Immerfall and Göran Therborn

European integration is one of the most ambitious and socially far-reaching developments in world politics and in world economics. Against growing opposition and despite increasing social heterogeneity, the European Union continues to expand and to acquire new competences. But to what extent is the self-proclaimed "ever closer union among the peoples of Europe" a social reality? In which ways is the political European project anchored in social developments? How does social change impinge upon political integration?

Societal trends in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and socially diverse Europe have never been studied systematically. Handbook of European Societies: Social Transformations in the 21st Century sets to rectify this neglect of societal developments in Europe, providing a groundwork for the sociology of European integration. The book portrays social life and social relations in the enlarged Europe, and gives a perspective on the European Union as an evolving social entity.

Handbook of European Societies is a pioneering source book analyzing the current social patterns on the continent. It covers a representative selection of major topics of social concern and sociological relevance, such as Collective Action, Consumption, Identity, Power Structure, Sexuality, Stratification and Well-being. Each contribution probes key developments in a strictly comparative manner. The Handbook thus offers a detailed look into the intricacies of the national societies of Europe and into the prospect of an emerging European society.

The Editors have enlisted leading researchers to synthesize existing knowledge and to make use of many different data sources in a straight-forward style. The contributions stay away from jargon, simple labeling and sweeping assertions. Instead, they provide solid and accessible information on a wide variety of social trends and processes within and across European societies.