The twin concepts of "Culture" and "Identity" are inescapable in any discussion of European Integration and yet over the years their meaning has become increasingly contested. Combining an anthropological and political perspective, the authors aim to challenge the traditional boundaries within the issue of the construction of Europe.
Presenting a comparative analysis of the political development of Southern Europe, this book is divided into two sections. It provides a historical overview of the politics and social structure of Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, focusing on the relationships between economic transformation, social conflict and political change since the 1970s.
