This book provides an original, international and multidisciplinary perspective on the recent and extensive political and constitutional changes in Europe. The contributors cover changes from several key European countries, whether European Union members, applicant members, non-EU members or potentially former members, namely France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, the Western Balkans and Switzerland. The volume offers a rare understanding of contemporary European societies by examining how people's choices as citizens and voters have influenced and can influence those changes and thus make a difference via elections and referendums. It will appeal to students and scholars of European studies, comparative politics, and voting behaviour, as well as to the wider readership interested in current affairs and European issues.

Addresses a topical and important political debate surrounding voting behaviour and the EU Provides a multidisciplinary approach that includes political science, contemporary history, sociology and constitutional law Compares electoral systems and patterns of voting behaviour in several European countries in order to offer a better understanding of contemporary European societies

Autorentext

Alexis Chommeloux is Dean of the Literature, Linguistics and Languages Faculty (Faculté de Lettres et Langues) of the University of Tours, France, where he is also Senior Lecturer of Law and Languages. His current research pertains mainly to contemporary British studies with an emphasis on the role of the law in social trends.

Elizabeth Gibson-Morgan is Senior Lecturer in Law and Languages at the University of Tours, France, and Senior Research Fellow in Constitutional Law at King's College, London, UK. Her current research is on House of Lords reform, devolution, the UK Supreme Court and the codification of the British Constitution.

Inhalt

Foreword; Professor Kenneth O. Morgan, FBA.- Introduction; Alexis Chommeloux and Elizabeth Gibson-Morgan.- 1. The significance and impact of the United Kingdom 2014 European Elections; Elizabeth Gibson-Morgan.- 2. Exploring the "Americanisation" of French politics; Alexis Chommeloux.- 3. The case of Denmark: Voting, the European Union and the Constitution; Peter Gjørtler.- 4. Constitutionalizing electoral politics: Democracy in the German Republic; Julian Krüper.- 5. Podemos: the emergence of a new political party in Spain; Heloïse Nez.- 6 . Direct Democracy in Switzerland: Trends, Challenges and the Quest for Solutions; Maya Hertig-Randall.- 7. Voting in the Western Balkans; Vojislav Pavlovi.- 8. Elections to the European Parliament; Jean Rossetto.- Index.