Comparative European Politics: Distinct Democracies, Common Challenges provides a complete guide to European politics through a comparative lens. The authors explore not only the 27 European Union member states, but also other European systems such as the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, to help readers understand the patterns that have shaped modern Europe.

Organised thematically, the book is structured in three parts, beginning with elections and representation, moving on to examine institutions and practices of government, and finally covering common challenges and their effect on European countries. Comparative European Politics takes students carefully through recent developments such as the migrant crisis, the financial crisis and growing instability in Europe.

The book is enriched with helpful learning features, such as 'over to you' boxes, which include suggestions for comparisons, and encourage students to test arguments, and form their own perspective on key issues. 'Thinking comparatively' boxes at the end of each chapter describe published research to help students evaluate theories against empirical evidence.

Rory Costello, Politics Lecturer, University of Limerick,Neil Robinson, Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Limerick

Part 1: Democratic Representation
1. Electoral Systems, Jean-Benoit Pilet and Alan Renwick
2. Political Parties, Andr? Krouwel
3. Voting Behaviour, Erik Tillman
4. Political Participation, Patrick Bernhagen and Angelika Vetter
5. Democracy and the EU, Tapio Raunio
6. Beyond Electoral Representation: direct and deliberative democracy, David M. Farrell and Luke Field
Part 2: The Process of Government
7. The Executive Branch, Petra Schleiter
8. Parties in Government, Robert Thomson and Petia Kostadinova
9. Parliaments, Shane Martin
10. Constitutions and Courts, Nuno Garoupa and Pedro C. Magalh?es
11. Levels of Government, Michael Keating
Part 3: Common Challenges
12. Politics and Markets, Neil Robinson and Owen Worth
13. Migration, Anna Triandafyllidou and Ruby Gropas
14. Security and Terrorism, Mai'a K. Davis Cross
15. The Rise of Anti-Establishment Parties, Mara Morini
16. Defence, Ben Tonra and Nikola Tomic