This rare focus on the politics of contemporary Greece explores in particular the countries processes of public policy-making.
It is more than thirty years since the restoration of democracy in Greece and in this period the country has undergone a number of major changes. Domestic political tensions have arisen from the pressures of Europeanization as a consequence of Greece's membership in the European Union. EU membership has helped define a modernization project, latterly associated with Premier Costas Simitis, which clashes with traditional practices and paradigms. In addition, other challenges have arisen: of a multi-ethnic society, of the loss of faith in old ideologies and of the passage of old divisions. Greece now faces pressure to adapt to the external environment, as well as to the constraints of the will and capability of the domestic system.
"Politics and Policy in Greece" addresses core issues, such as:
* How far has the politics of modernizationpenetrated Greek society?
* How far have reforms to state-economy relations, welfare systems and constitutional rights reflected a liberal agenda and how far have they reflected traditional concerns?
* How has modernization affected Greece's relations with the European Union?
Containing expert overviews and detailed case studies of the dynamics of domestic politics, this accessible and informative volume is essential reading for both Greeks and non-Greeks alike.

Political Change in Greece (1987) surveys the state of politics in Greece as it joined the EEC, experienced a socialist government, and faced changes in its relations within NATO. It provides historical background explaining the changes in regimes since the Second World War, and looks at different elements in Greek politics – processes, parties, interest groups and key policy areas – outlining for each recent development the likely future state of affairs.

Europe's southern periphery, where EU adaptation has been especially intense and sometimes difficult, provides particularly rich material for investigating Europeanization. The region offers case studies of the EU impact on first and second-generation member states as well as current candidates for EU membership.

This book is concerned with a large question in one small, but highly problematic case: how can a prime minister establish control and coordination across his or her government? The Greek system of government sustains a 'paradox of power' at its very core. The Constitution provides the prime minister with extensive and often unchecked powers. Yet, the operational structures, processes and resources around the prime minister undermine their power to manage the government. Through a study of all main premierships between 1974 and 2009, Prime Ministers in Greece argues that the Greek prime minister has been 'an emperor without clothes'. The costs of this paradox included the inability to achieve key policy objectives under successive governments and a fragmented system of governance that provided the backdrop to Greece's economic meltdown in 2010. Building on an unprecedented range of interviews and archival material, Featherstone and Papadimitriou set out to explore how this paradox has been sustained. They conclude with the Greek system meeting its 'nemesis': the arrival of the close supervision of its government by the 'Troika' - the representatives of Greece's creditors. The debt crisis challenged taboos and forced a self-reflection. It remains unclear, however, whether either the external strategy or the domestic response is likely to be sufficient to make the Greek system of governance 'fit for purpose'.

This is by far the best of recent books on US-EU relations.... It seeks to improve understanding to both academics and policy-makers and succeeds marvellously, combining theoretical awareness, detailed knowledge (usefully presented in numerous tables) and clarity of presentation.... This book can be strongly recommended' - Nigel Ashford, Journal of Common Market Studies

The Road to Maastricht provides a comprehensive and definitive account of how Europe signed up to Economic and Monetary Union. The book examines the dynamics of the treaty negotiations, focusing of the beliefs, motives, strategies and use of institutions by the leading European Union players.

The Oxford Handbook of Modern Greek Politics is a major new contribution to the study of contemporary European and Greek politics. This edited volume contains 43 chapters written by Greek and foreign academics foremost in their field. After an introductory section, offering a frame of analysis, the volume includes sections on political institutions, traditions and party families, political and social interest groups, policy-making and policy sectors, external relations, and Greece's most important political leaders of the period between the 1974 transition to democracy and today. It will be an invaluable reference for scholars, new and established, as well as for the informed reader around the world. This work offers the most comprehensive approach to the subject to this day. Drawing on data and analysis previously available only in national sources (Greek books, articles, and other primary and secondary sources), in combination with international data, it allows international scholars of politics, international relations, society, and economy to integrate the case of Greece in their own projects; and facilitates the search of any informed reader who seeks a reliable, updated source on Modern Greece.

This book traces the influence of the European Union on domestic politics and public policies. Whereas the standard books on domestic politics and European integration look at different countries one by one, this volume embraces an innovative perspective based on specific concepts, indicators, and a broad range of thematic issues. Representing the cutting edge of theoretical analysis and empirical research on Europeanization, this work will be essential reading for students of the EU and comparative European politics.

This text looks at the political aspects of European integration from the point of view of domestic politics. In doing so, it goes beyond the classic analysis of "how policies are made in Brussels" and raises instead the question "what is the power of Europe in national contexts"? The questions at the heart of this volume are crucial both for our understanding of European integration and for their policy implications. What does Europeanization really mean? How can it be measured? How is the European Union affecting domestic politics and policies in member states and candidate countries? Is Europeanization an irreversible process? Does it mean convergence across Europe? How and why do differences remain? The contributors explain and question the "power of Europe" by providing theoretical and empirical perspectives on domestic politics and institutions, government and administration, public policies, political actors and business groups. The volume contains a research agenda for the nascent literature on Europeanization.

Europe's southern periphery, where EU adaptation has been especially intense and sometimes difficult, provides particularly rich material for investigating Europeanization. The region offers case studies of the EU impact on first and second-generation member states as well as current candidates for EU membership.

Europe', 'Europeanness' and 'European' have been important themes in the history of modern Greece, from the establishment of the new state in 1832 to the sovereign debt crisis of 2010. 'Europe' has served as key reference points in questions of identity, progress, capability, legitimation and strategic interest. Indeed, few nations have experienced 'Europe' with such intensity, reacted with so much angst, and witnessed effects of such consequence. Now, in the context of two financial bail- outs and the imposition of tough austerity measures, it is the 'euro-zone' that is shaking the Greek economy, state and society to its roots. This turmoil needs to be understood in the context of a sequence of questions and doubts that encompass arts and politics, social integration and economic development. This volume addresses the complexity of Greece's relationship with 'Europe' - examining its manifestations in culture, politics, society, foreign policy and the economy. It deepens our knowledge not only of how modern Greece has reached this point, but also of what Europe is, what it represents, how it may impact domestically, and why it may be viewed differently.