Renzsch, Wolfgang (Chair for Political Science and a Jean-Monnet-Chair for European Integration, Chair for Political Science and a Jean-Monnet-Chair for European Integration, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg)

Political Parties and Civil Society in Federal Countries Renzsch, Wolfgang (Chair for Political Science and a Jean-Monnet-Chair for European Integration, Chair for Political Science and a Jean-Monnet-Chair for European Integration, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg)

Political parties and civil society organizations are among the most important political actors in federal democracies. These bodies represent both the interests and political identities of people on an individual level; society-wide, they make demands on public institutions and provide support for political preferences. They are also key political actors themselves, functioning as intermediaries between citizens and governments. This fascinating comparative study ofthe interactions between political parties and civil society in federal systems sheds new light on how these interactions function, influence politics, and ultimately shape a society.