The book investigates the complex and fragmented development of social policies within the European Union and contrasts it with policymaking in Canada and the United States. It examines how social security, industrial relations, regional development, gender equity, agriculture, and immigration policies are shaped by a multitiered system where member states and European institutions like the Commission and the European Court of Justice share responsibilities. The authors highlight that this policy area is characterized by a pluralistic process where various actors vie for influence, leading to a structure that is not under the firm control of any single political group.

This work is regarded as a significant academic contribution to the study of European social policy, offering a detailed analysis of its multifaceted development. The authors' emphasis on the multitiered system and the pluralistic nature of policymaking provides a nuanced understanding of how policies emerge and evolve within the EU. Its comparative approach, including Canada and the United States, further enriches the analysis by contextualizing European approaches within broader federal systems. The book is likely to be of interest to scholars and policymakers concerned with governance and social welfare in complex, multi-level political structures.