Cabinets in Western Europe

This presentation of the structure and workings of the national cabinets in Western European countries today is based on a common framework which aims to enable the reader to compare the origins, structure, composition and activities of these cabinets and therefore to draw lessons from this comparison. Emphasis is placed on the leadership and on the character of coalitions. The editors see a necessity for a knowledge of the life of national cabinets at a time when ministers in Western Europe are working more closely together and for an understanding of the differences between forms of cabinet decision-making in the context of reforms which are proposed of Western European governments. Jean Blondel is the author of several books including "Government Ministers in the Contemporary World" and "Political Leadership". Ferdinand Muller-Rommel is the author (with M.Schmidt) of "Empirische Politikwissenschaft" and "New Politics in Western Europe".