Party Government in the New Europe

Its subject is the life cycle of party governments in Europe from 1990 on, and their role in contemporary European parliamentary democracies. Party governments have become more volatile and more publicly contested, and in some cases their conduct has been seen as a challenge to the democratic quality of the state.

The volume covers the formation, duration and performance of party governments. It brings together leading scholars who evaluate existing theories and compare developments in Western Europe with those in the new Eastern Europe, using empirically grounded comparative analysis.

It also looks at the interaction between institutions, political parties and policies, and asks how changes to institutions and the conduct of parties can shape the life span of a government. Readers in comparative politics, democracy studies, government and European politics will find it relevant.