ABSTRACT

European Democracies is an introduction to the politics and governments of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. Organized thematically rather than country-by-country, this fully revised edition examines topics such as electoral systems, the European Union, refugees and the welfare state, and asks how to explain variations in policy outcomes, and how globalization is affecting European Democracies, among others. Throughout, the author treats Europe as a single but diverse entity and asks readers to compare what they learn about European politics with the politics of their own country.

Key features in this new edition include:

  • An updated thematic introduction to the politics and governments of Europe;
  • Fully revised to include comprehensive coverage of recent electoral politics and political events in Europe, such as Brexit, the refugee crisis, and terrorist attacks;
  • New chapters on immigration and the nature of European political culture and welfare state.
  • New comparative sections covering topics such as political parties, and financial and political differences in governments between Europe and the USA.

This key, in-depth text will be essential reading to anyone interested in European politics and comparative politics.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction and structure of the book

chapter 1|14 pages

Becoming modern in Europe and America

Different history, different politics

chapter 2|35 pages

Political parties

chapter 3|27 pages

“The most specific manipulative instrument of Politics”

Electoral systems and how votes are turned into seats

chapter 4|33 pages

Parliaments and presidents

From legislative to executive authority

chapter 5|12 pages

Courts

chapter 6|13 pages

Bringing politics closer to the people

Referenda and federalism

chapter 7|14 pages

Social movements

chapter 8|14 pages

Immigration and the welfare state

chapter 9|14 pages

The ties that bind

Political culture and the power of common forms of life

chapter 12|24 pages

Does all of this really matter – and why should we care?

Explaining policy outcomes

chapter 13|15 pages

Nationalism and ethnicity

chapter 14|21 pages

Power sharing in deeply divided societies

chapter 15|18 pages

Globalization and European democracies