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Have parties, and party systems, come back to life in the twenty-first century? Are they capable of playing their roles in ways that will foster rather than betray the public interest? These are among the questions explored in When Parties Prosper, a richly comparative, up-to-date, and accessible study of political parties in power in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Each country study in the book reviews the country’s political history, describes its present party system, provides a detailed study of the one or two most powerful parties in the system, and evaluates the impact the parties have on government efficacy, stability, and democratic legitimacy. Two broadly comparative chapters highlight differences and similarities across the countries. Following a common structure, the authors offer answers to their core questions—but they are answers that are sure to stimulate discussion, disagreement, and reassessment. About the Author Kay Lawson is professor emerita of political science at San Francisco State University. She is author of numerous books and articles on political parties. Peter H. Merkl is professor emeritus of political science at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Table of Contents Political Parties in the Twenty-First Century Part 1 Parties on the Left Britain’s New Labour Party: Prospering in an Antiparty Climate Sweden: Still a Stable Party System? European Social Democracy: Failing Successfully Poland’s Democratic Left Alliance: Beyond Postcommunist Succession The Lithuanian Social Democrats: A Prosperous Postcommunist Party The Uruguayan Party System: Transition Within Transition Part 2 Parties on the Right Germany’s Christian Democrats: Survivors in a Secular Society Japan: Why Parties Fail, Yet Survive Russia’s Political Parties: Deep in the Shadow of the President Mexico: Helping the Opposition Prosper Israel’s Shas: Party Prosperity and Dubious Democracy Chile’: From Individual Politics to Party Militancy Part 3 Comparing Opposing Parties Italy: A Tale of Two Parties France: Antisystem vs. Government Parties The US Two-Party System: Using Power to Prosper Part 4 Conclusions Becoming the Party of Government When Parties Dedemocratize List of Acronyms References The Contributers Index.