This comprehensive introduction has been extensively revised and updated to meet the needs of undergraduate students coming to terms with the changing social and political landscape in Europe. Jan-Erik Lane and Svante Ersson provide a full analysis of the political systems of 18 Western European countries, their political parties, elections and party systems, and examine the structures of government at local, regional, national and European Union levels. This fourth edition of Politics and Society in Western Europe represents a major revision of this widely used textbook. It will continue to be an invaluable resource for all students of West European politics, European integration, comparative politics and political sociology.