Shaping Europeanized Social Science

This paper analyses the processes leading up to EUs fourth Framework Programme in 1994 and the social science research in it. Parallel with the establishment of the Single Market, the Delors commission sought to underpin a ‘Social Europe’. From the 1970s several social science associations and institutions had been established in Europe and through institutions such as the Standing Committee for the Social Sciences in the European Science Foundation, social scientist had built up relations to the European commission. This paper analyses the strategies of the different actors involved in promoting social science in EU research policy and the social science projects of the FP4. It shows how the specific ideas about social science research held by European social scientific elites, the political configuration of EU research policy, aims of the Delors Commission all came together and shaped EU funded the social science research. The paper builds on archival material and official documents from the ESF, EU and publications from funded research projects.