Vast changes in western societies have dimmed the prospects of the labor-based political parties that emerged a century ago, and became major contenders for government power.

This book makes evident the problems generated for left parties by the emerging postindustrial economic order.  However, despite common difficulties, each party confronts the new problems of post-industrialism in the context of different national political heritages and party legacies.  These differences, in turn, go far toward explaining the relative success of some parties and the disarray of others.

The internationally renowned contributors include: Joel Krieger, Goran Therborn, Claus Offe, Gosta Esping-Andersen, Ivor Crewe, George Ross, Asher Arian, Ilan Talmud, Neil Bradford, Jane Jenson and Alan DiGaetano.