West European Politics in the Age of Globalization
Cambridge University Press, 9/18/2008
EAN 9780521719902, ISBN10: 0521719909
Paperback, 448 pages, 22.9 x 15.3 x 2.6 cm
Language: English
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.
Part I. Theory and Methods
1. Globalization and its impact on national spaces of competition
2. Contexts of party mobilization
3. The design of the study
the distinguishing characteristics of our approach
Part II. Country Studies
4. France
the model case of party system transformation
5. Austria
transformation driven by an established party
6. Switzerland
another case of transformation driven by an established party
7. The Netherlands
a challenge that was slow in coming
8. The United Kingdom
moving parties in a stable configuration
9. Germany
the dog that didn't bark
Part III. Comparative Analyses
10. Demand side
dealignment and realignment of the structural political potentials
11. Supply side
the positioning of the political parties in a restructuring space
12. The electoral consequences of the integration-demarcation cleavage
13. Globalizing West European politics
the change of cleavage structures, parties and party systems in comparative perspective
Appendix A. Technical appendix
Appendix B. Detailed statistical results.