The Politics of Problem-Solving in Postwar Democracies [Paperback]

The Politics of Problem-solving in Postwar Democracies focuses explicitly on the way in which and the extent to which public policy formation in multi-party systems can be both effective and legitimate; effective in finding solutions for societal problems which are beyond the citizens capacity; and legitimate in formulating policies that are acceptable to most involved. Cross-national variations in the way political institutions work and can be conducive to political consensus and cooperative behaviour are - so it is argued and evidenced throughout the book - the key factors for successful policy-making and related problem-solving.List of Tables - List of Figures - Notes on the Editor and the Contributors - Preface - The Politics of Problem-Solving in Postwar Democracies: Institutionalizing Conflict and Consensus in Western Europe; H.Keman - Consensus Democracy and Institutional Change; P.Pennings - Corporatism and Socioeconomic Conflict-Regulation; J.Woldendorp - Socioeconomic Problem-Solving between Conflict and Consensus; P.Pennings - Centre Space Politics: Party Behaviour in Multi-Party Systems; H.Keman - Between Collectivism and Individualism: the Politics of the Centre; K.van Kersbergen - Formation and Termination of Cabinets in West European Multi-Party Systems; P.van Roozendaal - The Politics of Problem-Solving: Democratic Responsiveness and Political Accountability; H.Keman - Appendices - References - Index