Abstract
A stimulating introduction to the political systems of post-World War II Europe. Using a country-by-country approach, this edition focuses specifically on Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, East-Central Europe, and the European Union. Each country’s in-depth treatment is standardized around four key themes: The world of states; Governing the economy; The democratic idea; The politics of collective identities. Within these themes, highly relevant issues, including the impact of immigration on European society, institutional reform and the Treaty of Lisbon, challenges to European integration by France and the Netherlands, and the continuing evolution of European-American relations in the wake of 9/11, are covered.