European Politics - A Comparative Introduction

This is a fully updated and revised fourth edition of the highly acclaimed textbook, European Politics  
 
A lively and thematically organized introduction to the governance and politics of Europe, the book 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 EU affairs are breaking down. Covering, but by no means confining itself to a common core of countries (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Sweden), it is a concise yet comprehensive introduction to 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, it is an ideal place both to begin and to deepen your understanding of European politics. The text is supported by a range of features, including:
 
·         Double page profiles of individual countries, which provide insight into the politics of a range of European states
·         Debate boxes  which compare the pros and cons of contested issues
·         Key Point boxes which help to reinforce learning and aid revision
·         Further Reading, Web Links and Discussion Questions to help you think about taking further steps in your study of European politics
 
Chapters in this edition have been expanded to deal with the new economic and political realities of life in Europe, including the implications of Britain’s historic decision in 2016 to leave the European Union. Furthermore, the book is supported by a new accompanying website which includes features to help guide learning, including multiple choice questions for students to test their knowledge, an internet guide to European politics and individual chapter resources.
 
Tim Bale is Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London.  He has published prize-winning books and articles on both European and British politics and has written for the Guardian and the Observer, the Telegraph, and the Financial Times. He tweets as @proftimbale and blogs at www.profimbale.com. 

List of contents

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.

About the author

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

Summary

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

Accompanying online resources for this title can be found at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/european-politics-4e. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook and are available at no extra cost.

Additional text

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.

Product details

• Authors: Tim Bale
• Publisher: Macmillan
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.05.2017
• EAN: 9781137581341
• ISBN: 978-1-137-58134-1
• No. of pages: 454
• Series: Comparative Government and Politics; Comparative Government and Pol; Comparative Government and Politics; Comparative Government and Pol
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political system; B, Europe, European Politics, Political Science and International Studies, Comparative Politics, Europe—Politics and government