ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the essential elements of convergence in a European Union (EU) context where one must distinguish between convergence as a policy objective, an outcome and an ideational influence on policy processes. It discusses the conceptualization of convergence, the ambiguities around the concept and the requirements for its measurement and analysis. The chapter considers convergence as an objective and unintended consequence of European integration, and globalization in terms of its potential promotion of convergence in key economic dimensions. It also examines convergence in the EU15 and EU25 for varying periods from 1970 to 2009 in social expenditure, employment targets and gender equality measures. The chapter explains the issue of EU employment targets which have been a central policy objective since the Lisbon Strategy. It summarizes the findings of studies of convergence in the EU15 and briefly considers data on the original cohesion countries.
