This book examines the events in the feminist movement in Western Europe over the past 20 years. It invites critical analysis of terms, ideas and assumptions about the modern world, and helps the reader to recognize fundamental traits of the social contexts which give rise to social movements. Embarking on an ambitious discovery of events through such diverse countries as Iceland, Norway, Portugal and Greece, the book aims to transcend a mere narrative of women's movements to provide a comprehensive account of the European scene. By mapping the postwar history of each country and thereby providing a context for the women's movements, the author documents a significant chapter of European social history. The book also tackles some of the most important contradictions of our contemporary world, such a those between the welfare state and a free-market economy, industrialization and religious value systems, social engineering and wealth production, and dissent and patrimonial systems of democracy. Kaplan's book tackles some of the most important contradictions of our contemporary world, such as those between the welfare state and a free-market economy, industrialization and religious value systems, social engineering and the production of wealth, and dissent and patrimonial systems of democracy. For those who strive to learn more about European social history and contemporary feminism, "Contemporary Western European feminism" is essential reading. It incorporates an extensive bibliography concentrating on English-language sources. "Gisela Kaplan is Foundation Professor and Head of the School of Social Sciences at the Queensland University of Technology. She is the co-editor of "Hannah Arendt: thinking, judging, freedom", and a contributor to" Feminine/masculine and representation. This book is intended for students and researchers in gender studies and sociology.