European politics today Second edition

by Hogwood, Patricia; Roberts, Geoffrey

• ISBN13: 9780719066696
• ISBN10: 0719066697
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-29
• Publisher: MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY PRESS

Summary

In this new edition, Patricia Hogwood and Geoffrey Roberts offer a comprehensive introduction to the political systems and processes of Western Europe. The book begins with an overview of the features and events that have shaped the political landscape of Europe up to the end of the 20th century. The authors go on to discuss liberal democracy, historical sources of conflict between countries, electoral systems, political parties and interest groups, governments and parliaments. The final section looks at federalism and EU decision-making and concludes with a consideration of how liberal democracies in western Europe have attempted to provide stable government while remaining responsive to changes in society. This book has been fully updated to take account of the French, British and Italian general elections that have occurred in recent years, as well as the momentous changes that have taken place in global politics as a result 9/11, and the preparations for EU enlargement. The chapters on the European Union and democracy in Western Europe have also been substantially revised to take account of globalization and recent political corruption issues.

Author Biography

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

Geoffrey Roberts was Lecturer in the Department of Politics at the University of Manchester.

Table of Contents

List of tables and figures	vi
Preface	ix
1 Politics in western Europe: contexts and patterns
Geoffrey Roberts	1	(18)
2 The democratic political process
Geoffrey Roberts	19	(19)
3 Sources of political conflict
Patricia Hogwood	38	(24)
4 Electoral systems
Geoffrey Roberts	62	(23)
5 Linkage organisations: political parties
Geoffrey Roberts	85	(21)
6 Linkage organisations: interest groups
Geoffrey Roberts	106	(19)
7 Executive government
Patricia Hogwood	125	(25)
8 Accountable government: parliaments
Patricia Hogwood	150	(24)
9 Constitutionalism, judicial review and civil rights
Patricia Hogwood	174	(24)
10 Federalism, devolution and local government
Geoffrey Roberts	198	(17)
11 The European Union and the member states
Patricia Hogwood	215	(29)
12 Democracy in western Europe: stability and political change
Patricia Hogwood	244	(26)
Glossary and abbreviations	270	(5)
Further reading	275	(3)
Index	278