A strong analytic framework coupled with unparalleled country coverage has proven Politics in Europe to be a friendly, yet rigorous introduction to the region. With more in-depth discussions of democratization, globalization, and further Europeanization in each country section, the authors have fully updated and revised chapters to bring insightful and current assessment of recent events and developments in Europe. Because the authors follow a consistent thematic structure in their country sections--Where is the power? Who has the power? How is the power used?--students not only get a firm grounding in the major actors, institutions and policies of each country, but are able to make meaningful cross-national comparisons.

Changes to the fourth edition include:

• New authors: Raffaella Nanetti contributes the country section on Italy, Christopher Carman joins B.Guy Peters on the United Kingdom chapters, and Marjorie Castle writes on Poland, bringing fresh perspective and insight to a trusted, class-tested volume.
• New country section: the addition of Poland highlights an important example of the post-communist transition to democracy and capitalism in Central Europe.
• Revamped policy chapters: a focus on common policy areas—allowing as much cross-national comparison as possible—gives students a look into such important and hot-button issues as immigration and citizenship, economic development and performance, religious cleavages, human rights and minority issues, and security concerns.
• Updated elections analysis: an assessment of recent election results—in Sweden and Germany (2002); to the European Parliament (2004); in the United Kingdom, and Germany, and Poland (2005), and Italy (2006)—as well as perspectives on forthcoming elections in Russia, France, and Sweden, offer a comprehensive picture of Europeans at the polls.
• Expanded treatment of political parties: thorough updating in all country sections includes the continued flux in the Russian party system, the center-left challenge to Berlusconi in Italy, the formation of a new left alliance in Germany, and anti-EU and feminist parties in Sweden.
• Extensive revision of the EU: new discussion of the European Union’s 2004 expansion from 15 to 25 member-states, its draft constitution as well as its rejection by voters in France and the Netherlands, the ongoing budgetary debate, and a greater emphasis on policy issues and outcomes.
• Updated statistical appendices: handy tables and figures feature current, comparative data on politics, economics, and social conditions in all eight countries.
• New website: annotated links to valuable resources are a great starting point for current events, study, review, and research projects.

List of Tables
List of Comparative Figures
Preface

Introduction

PART I. THE UNITED KINGDOM
B. Guy Peters and Christopher J. Carman
1.1. The Context of British Politics
1.2.Where Is the Power?
1.3.Who Has the Power?
1.4. How Is Power Used?
1.5.What Is the Future of British Politics?
For Further Reading

PART II. FRANCE
William Safran
2.1. The Context of French Politics
2.2.Where Is the Power?
2.3.Who Has the Power?
2.4. How Is Power Used?
2.5.What Is the Future of French Politics?
For Further Reading

PART III. GERMANY
David P. Conradt
3.1. The Context of German Politics
3.2.Where Is the Power?
3.3.Who Has the Power?
3.4. How Is Power Used?
3.5.What Is the Future of German Politics?
For Further Reading

PART IV. ITALY
Raffaella Y. Nanetti
4.1. The Context of Italian Politics
4.2.Where Is the Power?
4.3.Who Has the Power?
4.4. How Is Power Used?
4.5.What Is the Future of Italian Politics?
For Further Reading

PART V. SWEDEN
M. Donald Hancock
5.1. The Context of Swedish Politics
5.2.Where Is the Power?
5.3.Who Has the Power?
5.4. How Is Power Used?
5.5.What Is the Future of Swedish Politics?
For Further Reading

PART VI. RUSSIA
Stephen White
6.1. The Context of Russian Politics
6.2.Where Is the Power?
6.3.Who Has the Power?
6.4. How Is Power Used?
6.5.What Is the Future of Russian Politics?
For Further Reading

PART VII. POLAND
Marjorie Castle
7.1. The Context of Polish Politics
7.2.Where Is the Power?
7.3.Who Has the Power?
7.4. How Is Power Used?
7.5.What Is the Future of Polish Politics?
For Further Reading

PART VIII. THE EUROPEAN UNION
M. Donald Hancock
8.1. The Context of European Union Politics
8.2.Where Is the Power?
8.3.Who Has the Power?
8.4. How Is Power Used?
8.5.What Is the Future of EU Politics?
For Further Reading

Index

“As teacher of an upper-level undergraduate course on European Politics, I find Politics in Europe to be a very balanced and immensely satisfying text. The framework of analysis is uniform and nicely applied throughout. Students always give it the highest rating: those who have already studied abroad are challenged by the level of analysis, and those who are preparing to study in Europe, consider the text to be an excellent introduction. It is unique in its perspective and for its high quality throughout.”

“The book's strengths are clear. It offers a comprehensive, authoritative, and well written overview of politics in seven major European countries and the EU. It is written by leading country experts and established comparative politics scholars. The descriptive and analytical frameworks are implemented consistently across the nation states and extended to the European Union. The inclusion of Russia within the book's framework—a schema organized around power and policy making--strengthens the text. It is both relatively sophisticated and very accessible to the typical undergraduate student.”

“After comparing several different texts, I selected Politics in Europe for my course on European Politics. One of its merits is its great flexibility: the insightful country discussions could be used for a country-by-country treatment of Europe, but alternatively, the common analytical framework facilitates comparison across countries. Another aspect of the book's flexibility is going beyond the large Western European countries to include Sweden, Russia, and now Poland. Furthermore, no discussion of European Politics would be complete without an understanding of the European Union, and this book offers an excellent overview. I appreciate how the organizing logic of power is one that students can intuitively relate to.”

“I like very much the fact that the authors worked closely to make the chapters as consistent as possible across countries. This book is quite successful at balancing unique histories with common questions, so that the authors examine the same institutional and societal issues across boundaries. The authors manage to convey a lot of material without overwhelming students with unnecessary detail or jargon.”

“The Politics of Europe is an excellent introductory textbook that combines a common analytical framework with enough room for exploring country specific topics. Furthermore, its unique combination of country choice beyond the ‘big four’ with quick update cycles ensures timely, accurate, and relevant information. Thus, I look forward to the first new edition after the European Union's Eastern enlargement!”

“I am very happy to recommend the exciting new edition of this now classic textbook. Clearly a ‘must’ for undergraduates studying European politics.”