The European Union and the value of gender equality

Andrea Peto, Ian Manners

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Abstract

EU actorness is an interaction between presence, opportunity and capability so this chapter analyses these three factors in a historical and comparative perspective as far as the value of gender equality is concerned, with special emphasis on enlargement and development, together with a reflection on the impact of EU gender equality mechanisms on the formation of European identity. Gender equality policy was born in Europe through the intellectual tradition of ‘women’s difference’. The EU is a young normative power, which is slowly transforming itself from an economic community into a post-national political actor. Its identity is based on universal human values such as equality in order to overcome the difficulties of diversity found in differing national traditions and lack of a common ‘European’
cultural tradition.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationValues and Principles in European Union Foreign Policy
EditorsSonia Lucarelli, Ian Manners
Number of pages16
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Publication date2006
Pages97-113
Chapter6
ISBN (Print)978-0-415-46002-6
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes

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