This analysis of political stability in Western Europe explores the role of two major forms of systemic conflict resolution - neo-corporatism and consociationalism. Political Stability and Neo-Corporatism focuses on recent experiences in eight western European countries that share two characteristics. Firstly, they have either long-established patterns of neo-corporatism (Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands) or have recently undertaken experiments in this mode of policy-making (Ireland, France, Italy and Spain). Secondly, they all have pronounced societal cleavages which should make them prone to suffering from serious and persistent conflicts. The high degree of political, social and economic integration achieved by neo-corporatist and consociational arrangements, accounts for the stability of these countries. The book opens up new areas for comparative research using a theoretical framework which encompasses both economic and social patterns of conflict and change. The approach advanced by the contributors makes possible the comparative analysis of diverse and complex political systems, whilst avoiding overgeneralized and abstract explanations.

This book offers a systematic and basic introduction to corporatism in the context of liberal democracies. Corporatism has been heralded as one of the most important concepts to have emerged recently in the social sciences. It has led to both theoretical or definitional work on the corporatist model, and to the application of the model to empirical studies. The literature on corporatism is extensive, diverse and complex, reflecting the wide-ranging importance of the model. In this introductory text, Peter Williamson draws together the central issues in corporatism and provides a critical guide to the theories and findings of work within the corporatist approach. Individual topics are linked to the wider concerns of representation, democracy, conflict and stability, and state and market in liberal democracies. Corporatist theory is explained and diversities of approach examined. It is contrasted with the pluralist model, and the methodological and theoretical issues of dispute between corporatists and pluralists are explored. Corporatism in Perspective is written for students in government and politics, political sociology, political economy, public policy and administration, and social policy and administration.

Corporatism is the third great ideolgy of modern social and political organization and it is one of the main organizing concepts used in comparative political analysis. This study traces corporatism in history, analyzes its modern practice and shows the rise of corporatism in the US.

Corporatism is the third great ideolgy of modern social and political organization and it is one of the main organizing concepts used in comparative political analysis. This study traces corporatism in history, analyzes its modern practice and shows the rise of corporatism in the US.

A pioneering textbook which explains the dynamics of politics across Europe in the post-Cold war era. Comparing democratisation, transition to a market economy and increasing economic and political integration in the countries of central and eastern Europe with experiences in Scandinavia, and southern and western Europe, the book provides a wealth of information and analysis on the state of Europe at the end of a momentous century of European and World history.