Sort Articles

Western European Politics

October 14, 2021

Medical science as a model for research on democracy

Richard Rose Using hands-on methods to diagnose the democratic body politic can identify parts that consistently function as they should and which intermittently don’t work, writes Richard Rose. This knowledge can lead to more effective remedies for intermittent ailments. It also guards against predicting the death of democracy from chronic disabilities that can be managed Read more
October 7, 2021

Religion still counts at the ballot box – and that won’t change any time soon

Raul Gomez Decades of secularisation have not done away with the influence of religion on party choice in Western Europe. To understand this, argues Raul Gomez, we need to look at how parties mobilised religion in the past, and how that still lingers among voters today Read more
September 29, 2021

The secret of Angela Merkel's extraordinary success: her understanding of the distinctive features of German politics

Femke van Esch After sixteen years at the helm, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is leaving office. While political observers often predicted her demise, at the end of her fourth term Merkel is at the height of her popularity. Using the Leadership Capital Index, Femke van Esch explains why Read more
September 23, 2021

What AfD can(not) expect from this Sunday’s general election

Manès Weisskircher Alternative für Deutschland is not expected to make gains at this Sunday’s general election in Germany, yet it is essential to scrutinise the party’s strongholds, writes Manès Weisskircher. AfD’s strength in the east is not just relevant for the party's future. It may also shape German politics in the medium term Read more
August 3, 2021

Will Brexit break up the United Kingdom?

Michael Keating The United Kingdom has left the European Union in order to restore its national sovereignty. Yet the cost may be the break up of the UK itself, writes Michael Keating Read more
July 14, 2021

Why right-wing populist parties are more successful in some countries than in others

Léonie De Jonge Right-wing populism is not contagious; it only spreads if mainstream parties and the media diffuse it. This helps explain why right-wing populist parties are more successful in the Netherlands and Flanders than in Luxembourg and Wallonia, writes Léonie de Jonge Read more
July 7, 2021

Is Corbynism an ‘ism’? Or is it dead?

Andrew S. Roe-Crines According to one’s personal perspective, Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership either wrecked the Labour Party, or came close to saving it. But where does ‘Corbynism’ stand now under new leader Keir Starmer? Andrew S. Roe-Crines argues that it is entrenched in a longstanding historical debate about what Labour stands for Read more
June 29, 2021

Has Brexit changed British party politics forever?

Constance Woollen British politics has, traditionally, been divided along straightforward left-right lines. But Brexit disrupted this pattern, creating opportunities for a ‘European integration dimension’ to take hold, argues Connie Woollen. The deep rifts in public opinion, within parties and in Parliament, could dramatically reshape British electoral politics Read more

The Loop

Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.
Read more
THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL RESEARCH
Advancing Political Science
© 2025 European Consortium for Political Research. The ECPR is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) number 1167403 ECPR, Harbour House, 6-8 Hythe Quay, Colchester, CO2 8JF, United Kingdom.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram