This book explores the changing nature of party competition in four West European countries. It pays special attention to how different ideological positions give rise to contradictory cues when parties engage with atypical election issues like the EU and immigration.

"In this insightful contribution, Pontus Odmalm examines the crucial questions around the transformation of political parties over Europe and immigration. Highly topical and at the cutting edge of political science debates, this book benefits from a cross-national comparative design and starts to offer answers on why and how party competition is changing in western Europe today". Paul Statham, Sussex Centre for Migration Research, University of Sussex, UK

Autorentext

Pontus Odmalm is Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Edinburgh, UK.

Inhalt

1. The Changing Nature of Party Competition 2. Competing in Multi-Dimensional Party Spaces 3. (Almost) Contesting the EU and Immigration (1945-1990) 4. 'Pulled' or 'Pushed'? Increased Ideological Uncertainty on the EU and Immigration 'issues' 5. The Changing Modes of Party Competition (1991 2010) 6. The Death of Ideology, or Ways of Dealing with an Increased State of Flux?