European Politics: A Comparative Introduction (Comparative Government and Politics)

A fully revised fourth edition of a popular introduction to the comparative politics of Europe, written by a highly respected authority on the subject. This lively and thematically organised text provides an accessible guide to the institutions and the issues that matter in a continent where the boundaries between East and West, and between domestic and European affairs are increasingly breaking down. Covering a wide array of countries it is a concise yet comprehensive overview of one of the world's most important and fascinating regions.



Written in an approachable style and packed with up-to-date, real-world examples and information, this is the ideal place for students to begin and to deepen their understanding of Europe's politics. It can be adapted as a standalone text on modules on Comparative European Politics and will be of use as a key reading on undergraduate courses on Comparative Politics more broadly, as well as European Union Politics.

Tim Bale is Chair in Politics, Queen Mary University of London, UK. He has published widely on European and British politics.

Introduction.- 1. Europe: A Continent in the Making.- 2. The End of the Nation State?.- 3. From Government to Governance: Running the State, Making Policy, and Policing the Constitution.- 4. Governments and Parliaments: A Long Way from Equality.- 5. Parties: How the Past Affects the Present, and An Uncertain Future.- 6. Elections, Voting and Referendums: Systems, Turnout, Preferences and Unpredictability.- 7. The Media: Player and Recorder.- 8. Participation and Pressure Politics: Civil Society, Organised Interests and Social Movements.- 9. Politics Over Markets: Does Politics - and Left and Right - Still Matter?.- 10. Not Wanted but Needed: Migrants and Minorities.- 11. Protecting and Promoting: Europe's International Politics.

Table Of Contents

About Tim Bale