European Politics

Description

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.
New to this Edition:
– Updated throughout to provide coverage of developments such as the Eurozone crisis, the growth of left and right-wing populism, the rise of nationalism and Europe’s on-going immigration challenge
– Includes a short concluding chapter, rounding up and considering the future of the book’s core themes of Europeanization and multilevel governance
– Additional country profiles on Croatia and Greece to ensure representative treatment of the key countries in Europe today

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

“This timely volume offers a lively and engaging take on European politics. Bale provides clear and cogent analysis of the changing nature of politics within and among European states. The perfect starting point for those seeking to understand contemporary Europe.” —Julie Smith, University of Cambridge, UK“Bale provides the perfect companion for navigating the fast-changing landscape of contemporary European politics. The book combines oodles of information with clear explanations of the latest political science analysis of the main trends and phenomena. A must-read for students and researchers of modern Europe.” —Simon Hix, London School of Economics, UK“Politics in Europe today is more exciting, but perhaps also more complex than ever before. Tim Bale’s guide on European Politics is therefore a must read. It provides a comprehensive and exciting account of politics on the European continent. The book not only focuses on politics within specific countries, but also on the workings of the European Union. It is a truly pan-European overview.” —Catherine de Vries, University of Essex, UK

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