The Radical Left Party Family in Western Europe, 1989-2015

1. Auflage 2020
ISBN: 978-0-367-59596-8
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 244 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 395 g

Reihe: Routledge Studies in Radical History and Politics

This book provides an innovative analysis and interpretation of the overall trajectory of the Western European radical left from 1989 to 2015. After the collapse of really existing communism, this party family renewed itself and embarked on a recovery path, seeking to fill the vacuum of representation of disaffected working-class and welfarist constituencies created by the progressive neoliberalisation of European societies. The radical left thus emerged as a significant factor of contemporary political life but, despite some electoral gains and a few recent breakthroughs (SYRIZA in Greece, PODEMOS in Spain), it altogether failed to embody a credible alternative to neoliberalism and to pave the way for a turn to a different developmental model.

This book investigates why this was the case, combining aggregate (17 countries), case study (Germany, Italy, and France), and comparative methods. It accurately charts the evolution of the nature, strength, cohesion, and influence of the Western European radical left, offering new insights in explaining its behaviour, success, and limits. It is essential reading for scholars, students, and activists interested in the radical left and in contemporary European politics.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate and Undergraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Chiocchetti, Paolo

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Deutsche Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction

1. Toward an analysis of the contemporary Western European radical left

2. The Western European landscape, 1914–1988

3. The Western European landscape, 1989–2015

4. The German radical left: a success story5. The Italian radical left: the story of a failure

6. The French radical left: success or failure?

7. Filling the vacuum? The trajectory of the contemporary radical left in Western Europe

Conclusion

Über Autor(innen)

Paolo Chiocchetti holds a PhD in European Studies from King´s College London. He is a Research Associate at the University of Luxembourg.