The Limits of Citizenship: Migration, Sex Discrimination and Same-Sex Partners in EU Law

Article Abstract:

This article addresses the paradoxical politics of heterosexism within European Union (EU) policy through a critical consideration of matrimony as the primary legitimating link between EU nationals and third-country spouses. It also emphasizes the discrimination experienced by same-sex couples to whom the protection and privileges of marriage are unavailable and questions efforts to extend state-sanctioned unions to same-sex partners. Indeed, it argues against the presumption that relationship (whether spousal, cohabitational, sexual or familial) provide justifiable criteria for citizenship and the privileges associated with it. The article has theoretical implications for those studies in which the themes of citizenship, immigration, family, sexuality and social exclusion are central.

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Social Citizenship in the European Union: Nested Membership

Article Abstract:

The `European social dimension' offers a strategic entry point for analysing the development of citizenship in the European Union (EU). The first part of this contribution discusses the functions of social citizenship in this emerging multi-level governance network. Second, the analysis deals with two prominent and stylized paradigms that have sought to grasp the new multiple-level quality of social citizenship in the EU: residual and post-national concepts of membership in liberal democracies and advanced welfare states. Although each of these approaches captures selected elements of social citizenship, they are unable to deal with rights and duties in multiple governance levels in a satisfactory way. Therefore, the discussion moves to an alternative concept -- nested citizenship. This means that European citizenship is nested in various sites: regional, state and supra-state forms of citizenship function in complementary ways -- while the associated norms, rules and institutions are subject to constant revision and further development on all governance levels. Third, the analysis shows that the concept of nested citizenship can help to overcome the fruitless dichotomy of Euro-optimism and Euro-pessimism concerning social policy and citizenship. This discussion suggests a conception of European social citizenship as a common project, evolving towards common present- and future-oriented understandings of substantial rights and democratic principles in the EU.

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Polish Public Opinion: Explaining Declining Support for EU Membership

Article Abstract:

This article examines the changing patterns of support for EU membership in Poland, the largest of the central and east European applicant states. It argues that we should not be surprised that Poles have become increasingly cynical about EU membership since accession negotiations began and examines the particular concerns that underpin Polish Euroscepticism. However, the overall level of support remains high, and it is apathy and low turnout that pose a greater threat than outright rejection in a future referendum on EU accession.

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