A fully revised fourth edition of a popular introduction to the comparative politics of Europe, written by a highly respected authority on the subject. This lively and thematically organised text provides an accessible guide to the institutions and the issues that matter in a continent where the boundaries between East and West, and between domestic and European affairs are increasingly breaking down. Covering a wide array of countries it is a concise yet comprehensive overview of one of the world's most important and fascinating regions.

Written in an approachable style and packed with up-to-date, real-world examples and information, this is the ideal place for students to begin and to deepen their understanding of Europe's politics. It can be adapted as a standalone text on modules on Comparative European Politics and will be of use as a key reading on undergraduate courses on Comparative Politics more broadly, as well as European Union Politics.

Introduction
1. Europe - a continent in the making
2. The end of the nation state?
3. From government to governance - running the state, making policy and policing the constitution
4. Governments and parliaments - a long way from equality
5. Parties - how the past affects the present, and an uncertain future
6. Elections, voting and referendums - systems, turnout, preferences and unpredictability
7. The media - player and recorder
8. Participation and pressure politics - civil society, organized interests and social movements
9. Politics over markets: does politics - and left and right - still matter?
10. Not wanted, but needed - migrants and minorities
11. Protecting and promoting - Europe's international politics.

Tim Bale is Chair in Politics, Queen Mary University of London, UK. He has published widely on European and British politics.