European Democracies (9^th Ed.)

European Democracies is an introduction to the politics and governments of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. Organized thematically rather than country-by-country, this fully revised edition examines topics such as electoral systems, the European Union, refugees and the welfare state, and asks how to explain variations in policy outcomes, and how globalization is affecting European Democracies, among others. Throughout, the author treats Europe as a single but diverse entity and asks readers to compare what they learn about European politics with the politics of their own country.

Key features in this new edition include:

• An updated thematic introduction to the politics and governments of Europe;
• Fully revised to include comprehensive coverage of recent electoral politics and political events in Europe, such as Brexit, the refugee crisis, and terrorist attacks;
• New chapters on immigration and the nature of European political culture and welfare state.
• New comparative sections covering topics such as political parties, and financial and political differences in governments between Europe and the USA.

This key, in-depth text will be essential reading to anyone interested in European politics and comparative politics.

Introduction and Structure of the Book 1. Becoming Modern in Europe and America: Different History, Different Politics 2. Political Parties 3. "The Most Specific Manipulative Instrument of Politics": Electoral Systems and How Votes are Turned into Seats 4. Parliaments and Presidents: From Legislative to Executive Authority 5. Courts 6. Bringing Politics Closer to the People: Referenda and Federalism 7. Social Movements 8. Immigration and the Welfare State 9. The Ties that Bind: Political Culture and the Power of Common Forms of Life 10. The European Union, "Brexit" and Quo Vadis? 11. Economics, Politics, and the Greek Tragedy of 2015 12. Does All of this Really Matter – and Why Should we Care? Explaining Policy Outcomes 13. Nationalism and Ethnicity 14. Power Sharing in Deeply Divided Societies 15. Globalization and European Democracies

Markus M.L. Crepaz is the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science at The University of Georgia, USA. He has been at this institution since 1993 and is the Head of the Department of International Affairs since 2009. He has published numerous articles on electoral engineering, European politics, interpersonal trust, immigration, and corporatism.