Introduction: Social regulation of diversity and equality

This article introduces the special issue on diversity and equality. We discuss the development of European Union anti-discrimination legislation, in particular as relates to gender and race/ethnicity, and the ways in which different European countries have implemented equality legislation. We also explore the complexities of the translation of the North American concept of diversity to European contexts. In conclusion we consider the interconnections between law and the 'voluntary' initiatives of employers and trade unions, and compare the contributions of the articles that follow.