What comes next for a former leader in a democracy - a Prime Minister or President obliged to leave office because they have lost an election, come to the end of their constitutionally-fixed term, lost the backing of their party, or chosen to leave? This book analyses the role and political influence of former leaders in Western democratic states.

Introduction; K.Theakston & J.de Vries After the White House - the Modern US Post-Presidency; I.Morgan Former Prime Ministers in Britain Since 1945; K.Theakston The Strange Afterlives of Canadian Prime Ministers; S.Azzi The Evolution of Prime Ministerial Afterlives in Australia; P.Strangio The Political Afterlives of German Chancellors; W.E.Paterson Former Leaders in France; D.S.Bell Outside the Bubble - the Activities and Influence of Former Taoisigh; E.O'Malley From Oblivion to Limelight: Stability and Change in Dutch Post-Prime Ministerial Careers; J.de Vries , P.'t Hart & H.Onstein The Afterlife of Belgian Prime Ministers; L.De Winter & I.Rezsöhazy The Once and Future Prime Ministers of Israel; D.Korn Conclusion; K.Theakston & J.de Vries