In this final issue of European Societies for 2005, we include a cross section of research on Europe. We are pleased to welcome articles from regions of Europe that are often under-represented in European sociological research: the Baltic States as well as Spain. The first article by Ellu Saar considers the current conditions of labour market entrance in Estonia, looking at more contemporary data.
The second paper, by Clare Holdsworth takes a qualitative look at the motivations and attitudes of young people leaving home in Bilbao. This topic is of great significance to both policy makers and sociologists because of the low birth rate in Spain. The problems of leaving home among young people are a contributory factor and this paper helps to throw light on this issue.
The final paper is about a different topic altogether – but no less interesting. The article by Luigi Pellizzoni addresses the issue of environmental policy in Europe, especially public with respect to public views of food policy. The paper emerged from the environmental research stream of the European Sociological Association and represents an important tradition of research in Europe.
Claire Wallace
Aberdeen, September 2005