Book Review: European Social Policy and the Nordic Countries
| Date | 01 December 2001 |
| Published date | 01 December 2001 |
| Author | Marianne Gijzen |
| DOI | 10.1177/1023263X0100800405 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
Book Reviews
8 MJ 4 (2001) 407
Alan C. Neal (ed.), European Social Policy and the Nordic Countries,
Ashgate, 2000, 278 pages, hardback, £ 50.00.
European Social Policy and the Nordic Countries is a compilation of contributions
made by both legal practitioners and academics in the areas of social and/or labour law.
The book is edited by A.C. Neal, Professor of Law at Leicester University U.K., and is
the product of a number of presentations made to a two-day technical seminar held in
Brussels, on 15 and 16 May 1995, under the auspices of the Social Affairs Directorate
of the European Commission. The work under review is novel in that it is amongst the
first to deal with Nordic regimes of labour law and industrial relations within a
European Union setting. Certainly in this respect the book ought to be lauded and
welcomed. The contributions taken in conjunction, reveal in a clear and coherent
manner the contours of the so-called ‘Nordic Model’ and subsequently analyse what
impacts European Union law has had or may have upon existing structures and
traditions. The comparative nature of the project provides the reader clear insights in the
similarities and disparities existent in the respective Nordic welfare and labour regimes
which not only include EC Member States (Denmark, Finland and Sweden) but in
addition non-Member States (Iceland and Norway). The last two mentioned countries
are bound by the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA).
When reading the book, one must continuously be conscious of the fact that Neal’s (et
al.) work is premised upon presentations to a seminar held in 1995. The principal
reservation expressed by the current observer is that the work is fairly outdated. This
contention is made without qualifications in respect of the ‘European Union Dimension’
as analysed in the book. It is submitted that the rather equivocal notion of the ‘European
Social Dimension’ has been buttressed considerably by the innovations of the Treaty of
Amsterdam (ToA). Since then, substantial changes have been introduced with regard to
social policy and employment. In addition, the social rights dimension of the Union has
been bolstered by the adoption in Nice of a Charter of Fundamental Rights for the
Union which inter alia includes fundamental social rights. It is to be regretted that these
important alterations have not been taken into account whatsoever in the work under
review. The considerable time lapse in between the seminar in 1995 and the publication
of the book impacts therefore quite negatively upon its present value, which is reduced
to gaining better insights in the topics under discussion rather than an up to date
overview of how matters stand. The observer cannot entirely oversee all changes which
may have occurred in respect of the ‘national dimension’ as examined in the book.
However, there is no reason to assume that similar inaccuracies, which can be discerned
in respect of the law of the European Union, cannot equally be discerned in respect of
national law and traditions. At least, the existent possibility must constantly be borne in
mind. In short, it would have been far better had the book been updated to present times
for this would have greatly contributed to its usefulness for academics, practitioners and
other potentially interested target groups.
To continue reading
Request your trial