Junctures of Stateness

This text on comparative southern European politics integrates a strong policy orientation, providing an up-to-date account of political and policy change in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal. Based on comparative analysis as well as country-by-country empirical investigation, this book explores the changing relations between the state, politics and economic processes in the four countries, presenting a wide range of information on the contemporary politico-economic systems of the European Union's southern region. The book is able to provide a comprehensive account of today's southern European politics throughout the prism of policy change which is taking place in response to the requirements of European convergence and adjustment and which is mediated by domestic institutions and political arrangements.