Abstract
The aim is to reflect on some external and internal pressures and rationales at European level that influence the emphases and decision-making when designing equal opportunities policies - both within social partners' and other organisations. The emphasis is to critically analyse some of the potential dangers behind different interpretations of the concept of mainstreaming. Some of these potential pitfalls are best illustrated through analysis of recent (and shortly forthcoming) developments in three chosen example areas in European policy-making: the European Employment Guidelines; the European Works Councils; and the European Commission's forward strategies for equal opportunities (further divided into European Structural Funds and The Fourth Equal Opportunities Programme). The article also highlights the continued need for the positive action approach to equal opportunities between women and men, and the chapter focusing on scrutinising who the decision-makers actually are at European level serves to support this argument.
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