The history of protest movements and social mobilizations in Europe and the history of European integration have long been written separately from each other and largely disconnected. Yet the construction of the European project has been debated very early on, leading to mobilizations from the 1950s to the present day. These mobilizations accompanied the process of economic, social and political convergence of European societies and helped to shape, redirect or accelerate it. This was the case from the first protests against the Common Agricultural Policy to the transnational environmental mobilizations of the 21st century, including movements of road hauliers and railway workers, and social conflicts such as the Renault-Vilvoorde strike and the demonstrations against the Bolkestein Directive. These mobilizations shaped the contours of a ‘Europe from below’, reflecting the growing role of civil society in European integration. They also contributed to the acceptance and legitimisation of European economic and social compromises.

 

The conference is co-organised by the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Institut d'études européennes) and by the Jean Monnet Chair EU-CONV of Sciences Po Rennes.