Since the European-wide domination of social democratic governments during the mid- to late-1990s, Right-wing parties have returned to power in the three largest Mediterranean democracies - Italy, France and Spain. This alternation has been symptomatic of growing majoritarianism in Southern Europe, a trend which has gone against much of the rest of the continent, and of a decline in clientelist effectiveness also traditionally seen as the Southern 'norm'. This volume assesses the subsequent periods of incumbency of these three governments, considering the salient features of each in their reaction to winning government and implementing policy, given their divergent historical roots and paths to power. In particular, it focuses on the evolving role of perceived extremist elements on the Right, and adaptation to a European arena which imposes a level of continuity on incumbents of whatever hue, attempts to defend national interests notwithstanding. Lastly, it considers the extent to which the swing to the Right has already reached its peak, given the evidence of recent national and regional elections in France and Spain.

'This clear and comprehensive textbook will be invaluable for undergraduate and graduate courses on elections and voting behaviour. Complex theoretical and statistical ideas are explained lucidly and effectively - no mean achievement'

"- Representation

"

'Voters and Voting fills a yawning gap in the study of elections and voting

behaviour. No other book today matches the breadth and depth of coverage

provided by Jocelyn Evans. This book is destined to become a staple in

university courses on elections, parties and political methodology. It will

also be a well-thumbed addition to scholars' personal libraries' -

"David M Farrell, The University of Manchester

"

This accessible textbook provides a comprehensive introduction and guide to theories of voting and electoral behaviour.

The text introduces the concept of voting and traces the historical origins and development of voting theories up to and including present-day techniques and models.

Approaches reviewed include the early social and psychological models, through the rational choice, spatial modelling and economic theories, to the more sophisticated contemporary models. By carefully presenting and explaining the major technical and methodological advances made in voting studies, the text serves to provide a complete review of the different approaches and techniques that have characterized this area of study from its origins to the present day.

The book includes separate chapters on abstention and electoral competition, and employs a range of empirical examples from a number of countries. It concludes by looking at how voting studies might evolve in the future.

Voters and Voting: An Introduction will be essential reading for all students of electoral and political behaviour across the social and political sciences.

'This clear and comprehensive textbook will be invaluable for undergraduate and graduate courses on elections and voting behaviour. Complex theoretical and statistical ideas are explained lucidly and effectively - no mean achievement'

"- Representation

"

'Voters and Voting fills a yawning gap in the study of elections and voting

behaviour. No other book today matches the breadth and depth of coverage

provided by Jocelyn Evans. This book is destined to become a staple in

university courses on elections, parties and political methodology. It will

also be a well-thumbed addition to scholars' personal libraries' -

"David M Farrell, The University of Manchester

"

This accessible textbook provides a comprehensive introduction and guide to theories of voting and electoral behaviour.

The text introduces the concept of voting and traces the historical origins and development of voting theories up to and including present-day techniques and models.

Approaches reviewed include the early social and psychological models, through the rational choice, spatial modelling and economic theories, to the more sophisticated contemporary models. By carefully presenting and explaining the major technical and methodological advances made in voting studies, the text serves to provide a complete review of the different approaches and techniques that have characterized this area of study from its origins to the present day.

The book includes separate chapters on abstention and electoral competition, and employs a range of empirical examples from a number of countries. It concludes by looking at how voting studies might evolve in the future.

Voters and Voting: An Introduction will be essential reading for all students of electoral and political behaviour across the social and political sciences.

Since the European-wide domination of social democratic governments during the mid- to late-1990s, Right-wing parties have returned to power in the three largest Mediterranean democracies - Italy, France and Spain. This alternation has been symptomatic of growing majoritarianism in Southern Europe, a trend which has gone against much of the rest of the continent, and of a decline in clientelist effectiveness also traditionally seen as the Southern 'norm'. This volume assesses the subsequent periods of incumbency of these three governments, considering the salient features of each in their reaction to winning government and implementing policy, given their divergent historical roots and paths to power. In particular, it focuses on the evolving role of perceived extremist elements on the Right, and adaptation to a European arena which imposes a level of continuity on incumbents of whatever hue, attempts to defend national interests notwithstanding. Lastly, it considers the extent to which the swing to the Right has already reached its peak, given the evidence of recent national and regional elections in France and Spain.