Hardback
Rethinking Political Identity
Citizens and Parties in Europe
9781800881525 Edward Elgar Publishing
In this precisely argued book, Colin Crouch questions the current meaning of political parties for citizens in Western Europe given that the identities on which they are based were the product of past conflicts over industrialization and religion. Crouch asks whether the issues confronting post and ex-industrial societies can develop their own political identities among citizens? And, if so, how far do these identities relate to the inheritance of the past?
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Critical Acclaim
More Information
In this precisely argued book, Colin Crouch questions the current meaning of political parties for citizens in Western Europe given that the identities on which they are based were the product of past conflicts over industrialization and religion. Crouch asks whether the issues confronting post and ex-industrial societies can develop their own political identities among citizens? And, if so, how far do these identities relate to the inheritance of the past?
Applying a theory of political identity, Crouch analyses voting behaviour across Europe and presents an in-depth historical analysis of the key political parties. He traces the content of party manifestos and the geographical and industrial status of parties’ support. He argues that, far from following a model provided by the West, the faltering party systems in Central and Eastern Europe offer insights as to how western systems may develop in the future. Looking ahead, Crouch considers the viability of democratic politics, assessing the roles of gender, environmentalism and xenophobia in generating effective modern political identities.
Rethinking Political Identity is an invaluable resource for academics and researchers specialising in comparative European politics, political science, sociology and social policy, human geography and social history. It will also be of value to public policymakers and think tank professionals across Europe.
Applying a theory of political identity, Crouch analyses voting behaviour across Europe and presents an in-depth historical analysis of the key political parties. He traces the content of party manifestos and the geographical and industrial status of parties’ support. He argues that, far from following a model provided by the West, the faltering party systems in Central and Eastern Europe offer insights as to how western systems may develop in the future. Looking ahead, Crouch considers the viability of democratic politics, assessing the roles of gender, environmentalism and xenophobia in generating effective modern political identities.
Rethinking Political Identity is an invaluable resource for academics and researchers specialising in comparative European politics, political science, sociology and social policy, human geography and social history. It will also be of value to public policymakers and think tank professionals across Europe.
Critical Acclaim
‘In this refreshing book, Colin Crouch examines the emergence of new political identities, and their historical context, through the cross-cutting dimensions of exclusion versus inclusion and cultural versus material. Crouch reminds us that in the current world of multiple political identities, traditional ones and those generated by multiculturalism, internationalism and climate change, political value formation is not an individual choice, but an essentially collective task.’
– Stefano Bartolini, European University Institute, Italy
‘Colin Crouch’s essentially geographical approach helps to explain why most of the established political parties of Europe persist, yet come to represent and have the support of a declining share of the electorate, almost regardless of their performance whilst in government. An extremely valuable contribution.’
– Danny Dorling, University of Oxford, UK
– Stefano Bartolini, European University Institute, Italy
‘Colin Crouch’s essentially geographical approach helps to explain why most of the established political parties of Europe persist, yet come to represent and have the support of a declining share of the electorate, almost regardless of their performance whilst in government. An extremely valuable contribution.’
– Danny Dorling, University of Oxford, UK
