This is an introduction to the study of political parties and party systems. It focuses primarily on liberal deocracies and the approach is a comparative one. The book's aim is to explain to students of politics how and why parties and party systems differ from one country to another. However, it also seeks to provide a more detailed understanding of party politics in five particular countries. Most of the chapters are divided into two sections. In the first section general themes and arguments about a topic are introduced, and examples from a large number of countries are discussed in relation to it. In the second section, particular attention is paid to five of the largest liberal democracies - Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
Reviews
Ware has written a fascinating comparative approach to the study of political parties. * Choice *
A book which could well prove of considerable value to a first or second year undergraduate new to this field of study. * Talking Politics *
This book is a relatively rare bird - a text aimed ... at undergraduates that nonetheless takes an interesting and important subfield of political science and treats it in an accessible yet comprehensive way ... He has produced a book that students will definitely appreciate ... the book as a whole provides quite an encyclopaedic treatment of political parties ... this book, like all good texts, is an idiosyncratic statement of the author's view of the world rather than a bland search for its lowest common denominator ... the book is tailored for the British and more general European market, and will no doubt be quite quickly adopted as a text on a wide variety of courses. It will, indeed, be fallen upon by many teachers, who will be very grateful to Ware for giving them a comprehensive, sensible, accessible and up-to-date introduction to the general field of political parties and party systems. * Government and Opposition *
Outstanding ... It will meet the needs and expectations not only of undergraduates but also graduates and faculty as well ... each chapter-topic is introduced with an examination and review of the relevant academic literature. This organization and approach mark a real strength in the volume ... The discussion is illustrated with excellent data from a wide range of examples to make the arguments clear and contrast different parties and party systems ... cogently, clearly and precisely presents the analysis of parties and party systems. * Democratization *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198780779
Author Alan Ware
Format Paperback
Page Count 454
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 707g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 155mm * 24mm