Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This insightful Advanced Introduction provides an overview of the organisation, regulation and structure of political parties today. Richard S. Katz discusses the essential role that political parties play in modern democracies, with politics taking place within and among parties. Analysing the significant diversity found between parties, Katz illustrates the profound impact that the legal definition and organisation of parties can have on a democratic system.

Key Features:

• Reviews how and why parties have been regulated
• Explores the scholarly and legal definitions of parties
• Focuses on government formation and party government
• Analyses the historical development of forms of parties and party coalitions
• Examines intra-party politics alongside inter-party cooperation and competition

This Advanced Introduction will be essential reading for students and scholars in political science, public policy, leadership, and international politics. It will also be a useful guide for practitioners seeking to better understand the position of parties in a democratic system.