European politics : the making of democratic states / Walter C. Opello, Jr., and Katherine A.R. Opello.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 305-315) and index.

The disintegration of the Roman imperial state -- The development of the monarchical state in the west -- Nationalizing monarchical states -- The emergence of the nation-state in the east -- The structures of government -- Political participation -- Providing for the well-being of the nation -- From military competition to economic cooperation -- Governing the European union -- Enlarging Europe's commonwealth -- The endurance- and proliferation- of the European nation-state.

This book explores the nature of European politics in the context of the origin and institutional development of the European state system. The authors systematically cover the historical background of the European democratic nation-state; its governing institutions and practices; current efforts to unify the continent; and the challenges posed by circumstances ranging from EU membership to internal ethnonationalist movements to the extensive migration of people within and into Europe. In the concluding chapter, they consider the future of the European state in light of its history, current domestic political realities, and the broad forces of globalization.