West European Politics in the Age of Globalization (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780521719902)

Over the past three decades the effects of globalization and denationalization have created a division between 'winners' and 'losers' in Western Europe. This study examines the transformation of party political systems in six countries (Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK) using opinion surveys, as well as newly collected data on election campaigns. The authors argue that, as a result of structural transformations and the strategic repositioning of political parties, Europe has observed the emergence of a tripolar configuration of political power, comprising the left, the moderate right, and the new populist right. They suggest that, through an emphasis on cultural issues such as mass immigration and resistance to European integration, the traditional focus of political debate - the economy - has been downplayed or reinterpreted in terms of this new political cleavage. This new analysis of Western European politics will interest all students of European politics and political sociology.

Author: Hanspeter Kriesi, Edgar Grande, Romain Lachat
ISBN-10: 0521719909
ISBN-13: 9780521719902
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 09/18/2008
Pages: 448
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.54lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 1.00d