* The only textbook available on this subject* In-depth examination of five countries--Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and the USThis is an introduction to the study of political parties and party systems. It focuses primarily on liberal democracies and the approach is a comparative one.The book's aim is to explain to students of politics how and why parties and party systems differ from one country to another. However, it also seeks to provide a more detailed understanding of party politics in five particular countries.Most of the chapters are divided into two sections. In the first section general themes and arguments about a topic are introduced, and examples from a large number of countries are discussed in relation to it. In the second section, particular attention is paid to five of the largest liberaldemocracies - Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States.