State Formation, Parties and Democracy: Studies in Comparative European Politics

This volume re-publishes classical studies by Hans Daalder on three major themes: the different paths towards state formation in Europe; their effect on parties and party systems and their alleged crises; and the rise and merits of the consociational democracy model. The book throws a unique light on the development of comparative studies after World War II as seen through the eyes of an active participant. In a fascinating preface Peter Mair contrasts two scholarly generations in the field of comparative and cross-national studies.

Hans Daalder was Professor Emeritus at the University of Leiden. He was one of the founders of the European Consortium of Political Research, of which he was President from 1976 to 1979. Recently he edited Comparative European Politics: The Story of a Profession (1997; new paperback edition 1999).