Political Data Handbook: OECD Countries(Comparative Politics)

This fully revised and updated edition of an established reference book, provides in one volume the most comprehensive and detailed statistical guide available to the government and politics of the twenty-four countries in the OECD. There is no lack of statistical data about the OECD countries (the nineteen countries of Western Europe together with Cabada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Sealand); but much of the material is hard to track down and little is available in comparative form. The editors of the present volume have sifted through many hundreds of sources to select the essential facts and figures on population, social structure, employment, the economy, public finance, government structures, and political parties from 1950 to the present day. In addition they provide social and economic background for each of the countries covered to enable the data to be put in context. A short final section lists sources of further information. The resulting combination is both invaluable and fascinating, whether it is used casually to check up a fact or two, or systematically to make detailed comparisons between the most advanced political systems of the Western world.

Table of Contents:
I: Comparative politics 1: Population 2: Social structure 3: Employment 4: Economy 5: Public finance 6: Government structure 7: Political parties 8: Political communication 9: European Union II: Country tables Austria; Belgium; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Norway; Portugal; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; United Kingdom; Canada; USA; Japan; Australia; New Zealand Appendix I: Data on government structures Appendix II: Election data

Review :
From reviews of the first edition: `This series provides a welcome and much needed boost for a more analytical and theoretically informed treatment of west European politics. Professor Patrick Dunleavy `useful compendium ... This book will be particularly useful for its socioeconomic and public expenditure time series and for its up-to-date list of governments as these data are nowhere available in a single source for such a long period.' Political Studies 'A comprehensive statistical guide to the government and politics of the 19 Western European countries plus Canada, the US, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand who belong to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.' K.Y. Stabler, New Mexico State University, Choice, Sep '92 `many of the tables are interesting and the book should be a useful source for hypothese' Parliamentary Affairs `a useful source for hypotheses.' Parliamentary Affairs 'this is a valuable book ... the task has certainly been made a little easier for those seeking entry into the rich world of comparative analysis' Jack Vowles, University of Waikato, Aust. Jnl, Pol. 7/93