This book presents a comparative perspective on the new dynamics of electoral competition following devolution to Scotland and Wales. It brings together leading experts on elections, political parties and regional politics from Britain, Europe and North America to explore the dynamics and interactions of national and regional arenas of electoral competition. Chapters include theoretical reflections on the relationship between regional and national elections, and a range of country case studies. The aim of the non-British case studies is to establish both empirical benchmarks and a framework for analysis for exploring the dynamics of electoral competition, the adaptation of party strategies and the nuances of voting behaviour that the UK is likely to encounter in a situation where new Welsh and Scottish elections flank general elections to Westminster. The final section of the book offers detailed discussion of these multi-level electoral dynamics now at play in the UK.
A framework for analysis
1. An introduction to multi-level electoral competition - Charlie Jeffery and Dan Hough
2. Party organisation in multi-level contexts - Ingrid van Biezen and Jonathan Hopkin
3. Party systems in multi-level contexts - Lori Thorlaksson
Case studies
4. Disconnected competition in Canada - Steven Wolinetz and Ken Carty
5. Multi-level party competition and co-ordination in Belgium - Lieven de Winter
6. Multi-level electoral competition: sub-state elections and party systems in Spain - Francesc Pallares and Michael Keating
7. Germany: an erosion of federal-Länder linkages? - Dan Hough and Charlie Jeffery
8. Regional elections in Italy: national tests or regional affirmation? - John Loughlin and Silvia Bolgherini
9. Austria: divergence within limits - Alan Siaroff and Amir Abedi
Multi-level electoral competition in the UK
10. Devolution and electoral politics in Wales - Richard Wyn Jones and Roger Scully
11. Devolution and electoral politics in Scotland - Catherine Bromley
12. British political parties and devolution: sdapting to multi-level politics in Scotland and Wales - Jonathan Bradbury
13. Devolution and electoral politics: where does the UK fit in? - Charlie Jeffery and Dan Hough
