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‘Going Soft’? Analysing the Contribution of Soft and Hard Measures in EU Gender Law and Policy

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The Europeanization of Gender Equality Policies

Part of the book series: Gender and Politics Series ((GAP))

Abstract

This chapter addresses the importance of soft policy to studies of Europeanization. It does so by examining the role of soft measures in the development of European Union (EU) gender law and policy. Thus, rather than directly addressing the Europeanization of gender policies, this chapter attempts to reverse the process and ask what experience with gender policies can add to our understandings of Europeanization. Soft policy is a key site to study the understandings and expectations flowing from various conceptions of Europeanization, though there are practical difficulties in executing such studies. Taking account of soft policy and the role that it plays still forms a vital part of any investigation into Europeanization.

I would like to thank Michael Dougan and Ruth Lamont of Liverpool Law School and the editors for their helpful suggestions and comments: I remain, of course, liable for any errors and omissions.

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Authors
  1. Fiona Beveridge
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain

    Emanuela Lombardo (Ramón y Cajal Researcher) (Ramón y Cajal Researcher)

  2. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain

    Maxime Forest (QUING Postdoctoral Researcher, Complutense) (QUING Postdoctoral Researcher, Complutense)

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© 2012 Fiona Beveridge

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Cite this chapter

Beveridge, F. (2012). ‘Going Soft’? Analysing the Contribution of Soft and Hard Measures in EU Gender Law and Policy. In: Lombardo, E., Forest, M. (eds) The Europeanization of Gender Equality Policies. Gender and Politics Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230355378_2

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