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Boom Review: Books Received

the EU level, which has been linked to the deregulation of labour markets and the dismantling of welfare states. Therefore, overall community action has been more detrimental to women’s social rights than men’s, or as Ostner puts it, the predominantly regulatory policies of the community are characterized by negative integration (or removal of barriers) rather than by positive rights. On the positive side, several authors find that EU institutions are responsive to women’s demands. Several chapters ascribe the shortcomings in terms of achieving gender equality to intergovernmental influence, whereas more potential for progress is identified at the EU level because the presence of women and gender has made and will make a difference, and increasing women’s presence in decision making has been set up as a goal. This is also Bergamaschi’s approach in her analysis of the very male-dominated unions. The relative optimism is, however, by no means unconditional. Several chapters note the democratic deficit in terms of institutions and political culture, and Hoskyns anticipates that moving women’s policy away from the ghetto in the Equal Opportunities Unit and integrating it in all policies (in accordance with the mainstreaming strategy) may undermine the policy’s identity and reduce its impact. The inclusion of chapters dealing with issues at both the national and supranational level is a strength. The thorough and systematic comparison of employment patterns in all the member countries in the chapter by Bettio, Rubery and Smith is invaluable, and the two chapters on representation which address strategies to improve the representation of women, pro arguments and effects are informative and thought-provoking, especially when they are seen together. However, it would have been enriching for this research field if the edition had been more focussed on, for instance, community actions and had dealt with theoretical and methodological aspects of interpreting the impact of gender policy at the EU level as well. This aside, the book provides valuable insight into the European integration process from a gender point of view and it is of interest to anyone who works with gender and europeanization.