In the new edition of this successful textbook on European politics, Patricia Hogwood and Geoffrey Roberts offer a comprehensive introduction to the political systems and processes of western Europe. They demonstrate clearly that political decisions are not made in a vacuum, but in the context of specific historical constraints and social demands.The book begins with an overview of the features and events which have shaped the political landscape of Europe up to the end of the twentieth century. The authors go on to discuss liberal democracy, historical sources of conflict between countries, electoral systems, political parties and interest groups, governments and parliaments. The final section looks at fedaralism and EU decision-making and concludes with a consideration of how liberal democracies in western Europe have attempted to provide stable government while remaining responsive to changes in society.This book has been fully updated to take account of the French, British and Italian general elections that have occurred in recent years, as well as the momentous changes that have taken place in global politics as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack, and the preparations for EU enlargement. The chapters on the European Union and democracy in western Europe have also been substantially revised to take account of globalisation and recent political corruption issues.