European Politics: An Introduction (Theory, Culture and Society)

This comprehensive textbook is the first to go beyond a West European perspective and provide a clear overview of the whole of European politics. Jan-Erik Lane and Svante Ersson address the similarities of key political features among states in Western, Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Europe and look forward to political developments at the turn of the century. Traditionally, books have polarized Europe by focusing on points of divergence. European Politics provides a thoroughgoing analysis of several converging themes, including political culture, the nature of the state, party systems, and the formation of government and public policies. With this approach to economic, social and political aspects of politics in Europe this major text presents a Europe that, within the context of reform, transition and integration, has more in common in the early 1990s than ever before. With a clear thematic structure and helpful discussions of data drawn from some 30 countries European Politics offers both an accessible and genuinely comparative text which will be essential reading for student and researcher alike. Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 12 Introductory Chapter: Convergence versus Divergence......Page 14 1 - Historical Legacies......Page 29 2 - The Economy......Page 45 3 - Social Structures......Page 60 4 - European Integration......Page 77 5 - Political Institutions......Page 107 6 - Party Systems......Page 128 7 - Governments......Page 146 8 - The Public Sector......Page 168 9 - Political Culture......Page 188 Concluding Chapter: Party Governance......Page 209 Bibliography......Page 227 Index......Page 245 Sage Publications Ltd Contents 8 Preface 12 Introductory Chapter: Convergence versus Divergence 14 1 - Historical Legacies 29 2 - The Economy 45 3 - Social Structures 60 4 - European Integration 77 5 - Political Institutions 107 6 - Party Systems 128 7 - Governments 146 8 - The Public Sector 168 9 - Political Culture 188 Concluding Chapter: Party Governance 209 Bibliography 227 Index 245 ISBN-13:,9780761952879 An overview of European politics, emphasizing convergence rather than divergence. This analytic approach to economic, cultural and political aspects of politics in Europe presents a Europe that has more in common in the late 1990s than ever before. Jan-erik Lane And Svante O. Ersson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [214]-231) And Index.