Roland Atzmüller - Böcker

Following the 2008 economic crisis, the situation for young people deteriorated dramatically in many European countries. Employment and training opportunities have reduced, and levels of poverty and social exclusion have increased. This book evaluates both institutional frameworks and programmes as well as the quantitative and qualitative basis of judgements in European youth policies that dominate current strategies. Empowering Young People in Disempowering Times uses EU survey data and in-depth qualitative research to examine the education, employment experiences and quality of life of young people in Europe. It develops an extensive critique of the dominant policy approaches used in Europe, which aim to tackle the challenges facing disadvantaged young people through a focus on work first and a narrow human capital centered approach of integration. In response, the book analyses and discusses alternatives emerging from an application of Amartya Sens's Capability Approach to youth policies and an enlarged concept of participation. Offering quantitative and qualitative analysis which aim to develop new and progressive ways to assess the situation of socially disadvantaged young people in Europe, this book will be fascinating reading for students and teachers of social policy, as well as policy-makers, social practitioners and social scientists.Contributors include: G. Acconcia, R. Atzmüller, E. Baillergeau, S. Belda-Miquel, T. Berthet, B. Beuret, A. Boni Aristizábal, J.-M. Bonvin, E. Chiappero-Martinetti, S. Dahmen, J.W. Duyvendak, V. Egdell, A.K. Frørup, C. Goffette, H. Graham, P.R. Graziano, B. Haidinger, N.R. Jensen, C.C. Kjeldsen, A. Knecht, T. Ley, A. Lopez-Fogues, H.-U. Otto, A. Peruzzi, R. Raeside, G. Roets, R. Roose, V. Simon, A.M.C. Spreafico, C. Vandekinderen, H. Van Keer, J. Vero

Presenting a profound and far-reaching analysis of economic, ecological, social, cultural and political developments of contemporary capitalism, this book draws on the work of Karl Polanyi, and re-reads it for our times. The renowned authors offer key insights to current changes in the relations between the economy, politics and society, and their ecological and social effects. They explore the commodification of land, labour, money, care and knowledge, and analyse labour and social movements, right-wing populism and religious fundamentalism. Bringing together insights from different parts of the world and from historical, theoretical and empirical research, the book sheds light on important facets of the crisis-driven transformation of contemporary capitalism.Social and political science scholars will greatly benefit from this timely analysis of contemporary capitalism. Those researching economic history and the impact of Polanyi's work on the analysis of the modern society will also find this a useful read.Contributors include: R. Atzmüller, B. Aulenbacher, R. Bärnthaler, K. Becker, D. Bohle, U. Brand, M. Brie, A. Bugra, M. Cangiani, F. Décieux, C. Deutschmann, K. Dörre, K. Fischer, C. Görg, B. Greskovits, B. Jessop, E. Langthaler, M. Leiblfinger, M. Markantonatou, A. Novy, A. Palumbo, K. Polanyi-Levitt, V. Satgar, B. Sauer, A. Scott, B. Silver, B. Stadelmann, C. Thomasberger, H.-J. Urban, B. Weicht, M. Williams, M. Wissen

This book promotes a radical alternative impact on youth policy in Europe to overcome the situation of vulnerability and discrimination of a growing number of youngsters in their transition from school to work. It follows a Human Development perspective in using the Capability Approach (CA) as analytical and methodological guiding tool to improve the social conditions of the most socially vulnerable young people in European societies. The mission of the interdisciplinary authors is to expand the actual chances of the young to actively shape their lives in a way they have reason to choose and value. This book is based on the research of the EU Collaborative Project “Making Capabilities Work” (WorkAble), funded by the EU within the Seventh Framework Programme. It is the first empirical project to pursue a justice theory perspective on a European level. It also contributes to a fundamental change in the currently mostly insufficient attempts within the human capital approach to use the labour market to ensure desired lifestyle forms and a secure income for vulnerable youth.

This book promotes a radical alternative impact on youth policy in Europe to overcome the situation of vulnerability and discrimination of a growing number of youngsters in their transition from school to work.