European politics today, 2nd ed.

Book abstract:

The second edition of this book has been fully updated and represents a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the political systems and processes of western Europe.

It begins with the historical background and moves in chapter two to explore the liberal democratic form of government as it has developed in those countries featured in the study. Chapter three discusses some of the common social and political conflicts that have affected western Europe and goes on to explore whether or not new developments in political choices represent any threat to the established political party systems. Electoral systems and their effect on the competing parties and the voting public are the focus of chapter four. Political parties and interest groups which channel the interests of citizens are examined in chapters five and six. Government institutions are the subject of chapters seven and eight; the focus of chapter seven is on the executives, discussing the role of heads of state and government, the art of coalitions and the problems of holding on to power. Parliament, an ancient but still significant institution, is explored in chapter eight. Judicial institutions and other government regulatory bodies devised for protection of the citizen are examined in chapter nine. Sub-national government and issues of decentralisation and regionalism are discussed in chapter ten and the supranational institutions of the EU are dealt with in chapter eleven; it considers the way its decisions affect the countries and citizens of western Europe. The liberal democratic processes are subjected to new and changing threats. These are examined in chapter twelve and include globalisation, massive immigration growth, terrorist action and social movements, and the corroding cancer of political corruption.

The book provides easy access to these topics with each chapter being self contained in terms of context and will be useful to students of politics and European studies.

Patricia Hogwood is Lecturer in Politics at the University of Glasgow.

Geoffrey K. Roberts was Reader in German Politics in the Department of Government at the University of Manchester, and is now retired.