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The book examines the socio-economic dynamics of the current economic crisis that have affected Southern European countries in general, particularly Greece and Spain. These dynamics have caused considerable effects in social, political and cultural level and have influenced the marginalised populations of both countries. This review tries to examine the social impact of the crisis on youth unemployment in Greece and Spain with particular focus on graduates of tertiary education and the constraints of labour market occurred due to the economic and political upheavals followed by the crisis. The increasing levels of unemployment, together with accumulative poverty phenomena and future uncertainty has direct implications on psychological well-being and triggers the danger of social and economic exclusion as has been investigated in the study. A further examination includes the political governance in national and European level during the crisis which have shaped the views of youth unemployed populations in both countries and occurred a shift from traditional politics.

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Smaro Boura is an independent researcher and journalist from Greece. She graduated from the University of Sunderland and she continued her masters degree at Comparative European Social Studies at London Metropolitan University. In addition she holds a certificate from University of Athens on Developments of the Greek Economy. Through the last year she has been a Schuman intern at the Committee of Employment and Social Affairs at the European Parliament. Her interest focused on employment, youth unemployment and socio-political matters.

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