Discussion - The authors suggest that European parties

Discussion

Question #1: The authors suggest that European parties are changing. Why? Do you agree? Be specific.

Question #2: Campaign finances are often discussed in a negative light in the United States. How do campaign and party finances in Europe differ across Europe? Is there a particular aspect of this discussion that you think American political parties could learn from? Why or why not?

Question #3: Tony Blair, the former leader of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom, was a significant figure in European politics. Angela Merkel in Germany has also become a significant figure. Recently, the Socialist candidate scored an impressive victory over former French president Nicholas Sarkozy. Pick a particular leader from a European country (it can be Blair or Merkel, if you wish) and describe their rise to power. Why do you believe that your choice became so influential?

Standards:

The same standards (3-4 paragraph posts, attention to grammar, critical analysis rather than recitation of materials) apply to your main post this week.

Gallagher, Michael, Michael Laver, and Peter Mair. 2011.  Representative Government in Modern Europe (5th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill.