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?

"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 CommunityStefan Immerfall, Eckhard Priller, and Jan Delhey.- Chapter 2: Bureaucracy and the StateGuy B. Peters.- Chapter 3: Cities, Patrick Le Galès and Göran Therborn.- Chapter 4: Political Transformations, Sten Berglund and Joakim Ekman.- Chapter 5: Collective ActionDieter 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: PopulationTony 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.