Comparative European party systems. An analysis of parliamentary elections since 1945

Book abstract:

This book provides a comparative analysis of European party systems by examining European party and electoral systems before analysing individual countries in greater detail. The book begins by establishing basic facts about party and electoral systems. This includes defining Europe, examining the role of heads of state, establishing the main types of European party and comparing levels of political participation. Chapter two provides a comprehensive set of data on every election for each European country since 1945. These include figures on turnout, parliamentary fragmentation, electoral decisiveness, seat biases and ratios. The third chapter compares party systems and presents some of the aspects of different systems. Chapter four then examines some of the characteristics of different electoral systems. The final chapter of part one provides comprehensive data to illustrate to what extent different party systems have different outcomes in terms of governments.

Part two of the book provides comprehensive details of party and electoral systems in 38 individual European countries. Each chapter has sections on history, the electoral system, political parties and cleavages, and details of elections and governments.

This book provides an introduction to the topic of European party systems and includes useful comparative data. It would be suited to students of politics across Europe.

Alan Siaroff is a lecturer at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.