The Politics of Southern Europe - by Jose Magone (Hardcover)

About the Book

European integration has had a profound impact on the politics of Southern Europe, a region that was initially at the margin of the decision-making processes of the European Union, but is gradually becoming more and more influential. This volume offers a comparative overview of modern politics in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, focusing in particular on the process of integration of these countries into the European Union and on the impact of European public policy. The author analyzes the development of Southern European political systems, from the establishment of democratic governments to the most recent political events, looking at each individual system and finding patterns, similarities of development, as well as differences between them. Among the topics examined are the building of institutions, the parties and party systems, foreign policies, the political culture of each country, and the recent efforts towards the creation of a space of security and peace in the Mediterranean.

Book Synopsis

European integration has had a profound impact on the politics of Southern Europe, a region that was initially at the margin of the decision-making processes of the European Union, but is gradually becoming more and more influential. This volume offers a comparative overview of modern politics in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, focusing in particular on the process of integration of these countries into the European Union and on the impact of European public policy. The author analyzes the development of Southern European political systems, from the establishment of democratic governments to the most recent political events, looking at each individual system and finding patterns, similarities of development, as well as differences between them. Among the topics examined are the building of institutions, the parties and party systems, foreign policies, the political culture of each country, and the recent efforts towards the creation of a space of security and peace in the Mediterranean.

Review Quotes

?Advancing the notion that Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece constitute a distinct region, Magone compares these countries' political development and quality of governance....the book's informative and insightful description will appeal to advanced-level students and researchers interested in contemporary European politics and the democratic politics of contemporary Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.?-Choice

"Advancing the notion that Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece constitute a distinct region, Magone compares these countries' political development and quality of governance....the book's informative and insightful description will appeal to advanced-level students and researchers interested in contemporary European politics and the democratic politics of contemporary Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above."-Choice

About the Author

JOSÉ M. MAGONE is a Senior Lecturer in European Politics at the University of Hull, in northern England. He has published three books, including Iberian Trade Unionism (2001).