Combatting the Causes of Inequality Affecting Young People Across Europe

"An important contribution to understanding youth inequality in Europe, combining an ambitious, multi-dimensional theoretical framework, a critical discussion of EU policies, and concrete empirical knowledge from case studies of city neighbourhoods in ten countries. On the basis of experiences from the latter Stigendal also provides guidelines for local combats against inequality and exclusion." - Gran Therborn, author of The Killing Fields of Inequality, and of Cities of Power "Mikael Stigendal makes a passionate plea to take young people serious in policies to combat inequality in European cities. After exposing the limits of policies that focus on problems and deficiencies, his potential-oriented approach offers rich empirical insights on initiatives and policies that empower young people in their cities and neighbourhoods." - Andreas Novy, Head of the Institute for Multi-Level Governance and Development, Vienna University of Economics and Business

Mikael Stigendal is Professor in Sociology at Malm University, Sweden. His doctoral thesis from 1994 dealt with the Swedish societal model, from a local perspective on Malm. Thereafter, his research has highlighted the emergence of social exclusion in European cities, particularly regarding the situation for young people. In his explanations, he has explored how societies have developed into new conditions of social inclusion. Much of his research has been carried out interactively, in collaboration with municipal employees, voluntary workers and young people.

1. Introduction 2. What Is Inequality? 3. Why Does Inequality Exist? 4. Systemic Causes of Inequality 5. From Decreasing to Increasing Inequality 6. Financialised Economies 7. Austerity and Individualisation 8. Inequalities in the Cities 9. Combatting Inequality 10. Concluding Summary