Comparative European Politics - Distinctive Democracies, Common Challenges - Second Edition

This essential guide to comparative European politics provides the broadest range of coverage on Europe, illustrated via the widest range of examples, applied to contemporary events.

In Comparative European Politics the team of expert authors explore the politics of a range of European countries, providing insight into everything you need to know on the subject, from the fundamentals of democratic politics, institutions, and practices of government, to key contemporary challenges.


Key Features
· A broad introduction to contemporary European politics, providing an accessible introduction to the fundamental elements of European democracies, institutions, and practices of government
· A unique emphasis on contemporary political issues sees a whole part dedicated to common challenges, which explores issues such as immigration, European integration, the financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic
· Includes up-to-date examples such as growing instability in Europe, Brexit, recent migration policies, the threat of international terrorism, and the rise of anti-establishment parties, to help students understand the real-world context of European politics
· Developed with engaging learning features such as end of chapter discussion questions, 'thinking comparatively' sections, and 'over to you' boxes, to help students understand 'why' and 'how' to compare European countries and their political systems
· Provides comprehensive coverage of the 27 member states of the European Union, additionally drawing on examples from the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina
· Written by leading scholars in the field who provide clear analysis on complex subjects, intricate relationships, and controversial issues
· Also available as an e-book with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support

New to this Edition
· Three new chapters cover topics around climate politics and policy, national governments in the European Union's political system, and populism and its challenges to democracy.
· A reorganized table of contents adds clarity.
· Updated tables and figures and the addition of photos offer an engaging learning experience.

1:Introduction, Rory Costello
Part 1: Democratic Representation
2:Electoral Systems, Jean-Benoit Pilet and Alan Renwick
3:Political Parties, André Krouwel
4:Voting Behaviour, Erik Tillman
5:Political Participation, Patrick Bernhagen and Angelika Vetter
6:Beyond Electoral Representation: direct and deliberative democracy, David M. Farrell and Luke Field
Part 2: The Process of Government
7:The Executive Branch, Petra Schleiter
8:Parties in Government, Petia Kostadinova and Robert Thomson
9:Parliaments, Shane Martin
10:Constitutions and Courts, Nuno Garoupa and Pedro C. Magalhães
11:Levels of Government, Michael Keating
12:National Governments in the EU Political System, Simona Piattoni
Part 3: Common Challenges
13:Politics and Markets, Neil Robinson and Owen Worth
14:Migration, Anna Triandafyllidou and Ruby Gropas
15:Climate Politics and Policy, Neil Carter and Conor Little
16:Defence and Security, Simon Smith and Nikola Tomic
17:Democracy and the EU, Tapio Raunio
18:Populism and its Challenges to Democracy, Paolo Graziano