Bücher der Reihe Routledge Research in Comparative Politics

Intends to explain the divergent political pathways of twenty six post-communist states, following the breakdown and eventual collapse of communism in 1989-1991. Considering the trajectories of individual states between 1990-2007, this book challenges two central bodies of theory relating to democratization and regime change.

A major feature of the political development of western democracies is the growth of indigenous, ethnic and national groups striving for political self-determination. This book analyses the institutional responses individual governments have made to these demands.

The Politics of Charity examines the contemporary political role played by charity, as legally defined, in the developed democratic nations. It considers how this has come about, why it is now significant, what it is that is integral to the content and role of `charity¿ that allows it to hold such a pivotal political position and why this would seem to be non-transferable to undemocratic nations. It also identifies and assesses the political relevance of different types of charitable activity.

Inspired by the work of Amartya Sen, whose influential hypothesis that democratic institutions together with a free press provide effective protection from famine, this title presents a study that combines qualitative and quantitative evidence to analyse the effect of democracy on famine prevention.

Explores the increasing importance of personality in leadership. It focuses on the relationship and psychological dimension between citizens and political leaders, with case studies on Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Italy, Poland, Japan and Thailand.

This book examines the development of party politics in the region of Western Balkans, describing party politics and analyzing inter-ethnic or inter-party cooperation and competition.

Examines and compares women in local government and features case studies on the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Finland, Uganda, China, Australia and New Zealand.

Examines the ways in which controversies and political, legal, and social struggles for gender equality in Asia and Europe, raise conceptual questions and challenge our thinking on political theories of equality, citizenship and human rights.

Examines the role of civil society organizations in several advanced European democracies: Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This book focuses on how voluntary organizations contribute to civic and democratic health and assesses the impact of different organizational types on social capital.

Examines the impact of the EU on the quality of democracy in eight post-communist countries: Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, Ukraine and Armenia. Considering both the political and legal aspects, this title focuses on inter-institutional accountability.

Presents a comparative assessment of social pacts between governments, labor unions and employer organizations in Western Europe. This title argues that governments' choice of social pacts or legislation is less influenced by economic problems, but is strongly influenced by electoral competition.

Examines why regional identities are stronger in some regions than in others, and discusses the underlying causes of the mobilization of sub-state regions in Western Europe.

Brings together research from the Global North and the Global South to illuminate how contemporary motherhood is changed by the processes of globalization.

Social structure may historically have been of primary importance in accounting for the attitudes and behavior of many citizens, but the changes in social structure have diminished the role played by class and religious affiliation. This book explores the role played by the personalisation of leadership.

Explores and presents the influence of contextual factors on the choice of electoral systems for parliamentary elections in both democracies and non-democracies around the world. This book provides the frequency of the adoption of electoral formulas and systems in the postwar era, followed by a theoretical elaboration of electoral system choice.

Deals with the reasons and consequences of the so called 'democratic deficit' in a systematic way that enables the reader to develop a well-rounded sense of the area and its main debates. This book is suitable for students of political science, sociology, cultural studies, and comparative politics.

This edited volume offers a critical discussion of the trade-offs between transparency and secrecy in the actual political practice of democratic states in Europe. As such, it answers to a growing need to systematically analyse the problem of secrecy in governance in this political and geographical context.

Compares and explores how social democratic governments had to adapt to globalization, European integration, and social change; and whether they successfully managed to uphold old social democratic goals and values in light of the devaluation of traditional policy instruments.

This is the first study of the controversial new trends of gender quotas now emerging in global politics, presenting a comprehensive overview of changes in women's parliamentary representation across the world.

A study of the impact of semi-presidentialism in democracies outside of Europe. This book discusses the advantages and disadvantages of semi-presidentialism. It includes case studies that highlight the political processes at work in young semi-presidential democracies. It is useful for those researching in the field of comparative politics.

Examines the way in which domestic and global institutions shape and reflect gender interests, and the extent to which feminists can challenge gender norms through political institutions. This book examines regional, national and international institutions. It is suitable for students of gender studies, political science and comparative politics.

This book focuses specifically on the question of interest aggregation: do parties today perform that function? If so, how and if not, in what different ways do they seek to show themselves responsive to the electorate?

This book examines the relationship between indicators of resource distribution and democratization in the group of 170 countries with data ranging from the 1850s to the present day. Vanhanen argues that the emergence of democracy is closely linked to resource distribution.

Explores the kind of non-democratic regimes that are particularly vulnerable to democratic revolutions. This book examines why and how democrats rebel and what the results of democratic revolutions have been. It attempts to democratize theories of revolution, and includes studies of East Germany, China, Serbia and the Philippines.

What is the relationship between democracy and political culture in countries undergoing major systemic change? This book tackles this question and other questions, and builds a clear understanding of what makes democracies strong and resistant to autocratic temptation.

This global study uses statistical analysis to relate the popularity of the death penalty to physical, cultural, social, economical, institutional, actor oriented and historical factors.

Leading international experts and aspiring researchers from the fields of political science and sociology use a range of case studies from North America, Europe and Australia to guide the reader through the complexities of this debate offering an unprecedented comparative examination of public opinion and immigration.

This book explores the roles and visions foundations have of, and for, themselves in the new Europe.

Written by leading women's movement scholars, this book applies the idea of social movement abeyance to differing national and international contexts. It compares the trajectories of women's movements in Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.