Contesting capitalism? Left parties and European integration

Abstract:

European political and economic integration centred upon the free market and neo-liberal ideas and principles has proved to be a harsh climate for left wing parties. This book looks at that situation and examines the extent to which they have been moulded by the process and perhaps no longer offer an alternative.

The work is organised over five chapters. The first chapter presents the background with a left wing perspective of European integration. Chapter two puts the argument in a historical context by looking at the divisions within the main Communist parties of Western Europe in the 1970s and 1980s. Closer examination of the various left wing parties is the focus of several country specific case studies contained in chapter three. The final chapter presents a comparative study of the Green and Social Democratic parties' visions of European integration and asks the question - is there anything left of the Left view on European integration?

The work will interest scholars and students, politicians and researchers engaged in European Union studies and political sciences.

Richard Dunphy is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics at the University of Dundee.