This volume examines the recent changes which have occurred in party systems across Europe. It concludes that parties in many countries are no longer bare reflections of traditional social groups. Rather, the structure in which parties compete is increasingly open and flexible, and subject to on-going change. The combination of comparative and individual case-studies provides strong evidence that political parties remain a potent, if changing, force in politics throughout Europe.

This is an immensely helpful book for students starting their own research... an excellent introduction to the comparative method giving an authoritative overview over the research process

- Klaus Armingeon, University of Bern

Doing Research in Political Science is the book for mastering the comparative method in all the social sciences

- Jan-Erik Lane, University of Geneva

This book has established itself as a concise and well-readable text on comparative methods and statistics in political science I...strongly recommend...

This is an immensely helpful book for students starting their own research... an excellent introduction to the comparative method giving an authoritative overview over the research process

- Klaus Armingeon, University of Bern

Doing Research in Political Science is the book for mastering the comparative method in all the social sciences

- Jan-Erik Lane, University of Geneva

This book has established itself as a concise and well-readable text on comparative methods and statistics in political science I...strongly recommend...