Britain, France, and EU anti-discrimination policy: The emergence of an EU policy paradigm

The 1997 Amsterdam Treaty contained new provisions to combat discrimination, including on grounds of race, ethnicity and national origin (Article 13). Subsequently, two Directives were adopted in June 2000, a 'Race Directive' and a Directive combating all forms of discrimination in employment. Before Amsterdam, policies directed at ethnic minorities were a national or local prerogative, with the exception of Commission funding of sub-national units promoting the integration of migrants. This policy domain is, therefore, a privileged one to observe the dynamics behind the Europeanisation of policy-making and the cross-pollination of ideas across borders. The article asks under what conditions a particular 'frame' or 'discourse' becomes dominant and what factors can account for the success of a particular policy paradigm at EU level.