ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book deals with uneven development before the euro, from the 1980s to the late 1990s. It gives particular attention to several common characteristics in Southern Europe (SE), such as the dominance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the informal sector, the fragmentation of regional labour markets, the role of the family and the role of the weak, clientelistic and familistic state. The book discusses capitalist transformation and the building of the Eurozone. It emphasis to ideological wars, to imagining and constructing the New "Southern Question". eals with the problem of the de-politicisation of uneven development, focusing on field, economic geography and regional and urban planning. It focuses on demonstrations, squares occupations and solidarity social movements in urban areas that resisted harsh austerity policies. The book discusses politics and poses questions about the future of the EU and the Eurozone.
