ABSTRACT

The Routledge Handbook of Political Parties provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of the study of political parties provided by leading experts in the field.

In an era of widespread political disillusionment, political parties are often the main targets of citizen dissatisfaction, yet they are the key institutions that make democracy work. Analysing political parties in unrivalled depth and breath, with comparative thematic chapters throughout, as well as a dedicated section on political parties and party politics in specific country and regional settings, this handbook examines and illuminates the key questions around: how parties organise; how their ideologies have evolved over time; their relationship with society; how they differentiate themselves and how they respond to new social, economic, and political developments.

The Routledge Handbook of Political Parties is essential reading and an authoritative reference for scholars, students, researchers and practitioners involved in and actively concerned about research in the study of political parties, party systems, and party politics.

part 2|70 pages

Party as an organisation

chapter 4|11 pages

Party organisation

chapter 5|12 pages

Party membership

chapter 6|10 pages

Party finance

chapter 7|12 pages

Party institutionalisation

chapter 9|12 pages

Political parties and gender

part 3|84 pages

Party ideology and party families

chapter 11|12 pages

The far right

chapter 12|12 pages

The centre-right

Christian Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals

chapter 13|12 pages

Liberal parties

chapter 14|12 pages

Social democracy

chapter 15|12 pages

Radical left parties

chapter 16|12 pages

Green parties

part 4|68 pages

Party competition and representation

chapter 17|12 pages

Party strategies

Valence versus position

chapter 19|11 pages

Niche parties and party competition

chapter 21|11 pages

Parties and representation

part 5|79 pages

Contemporary issues and challenges

part 6|90 pages

Regional comparisons

part 7|41 pages

Methods for estimating party preferences