This analysis of the relationship between democratization and contentious politics builds upon the model set forth in Dynamics of Contention (Cambridge, 2001). Comparing the Low Countries, Iberia, France, the British Isles, the Balkans, Russia, and other European regions over three and a half turbulent centuries, the book demonstrates how similar recurrent causal mechanisms in different combinations, sequences, and initial conditions produced contrasting trajectories toward and away from democracy in different parts of the continent. Also available: Dynamics of Contention 0-521-80588-0 Hardback $60.00 C 0-521-01187-6 Paperback $22.00 D "Although it always keeps its central arguments in view, there is scarcely a page that doesn't have some fascinating sub-argument, illuminating comparison, provocative conjecture, or telling datum. A busy reader who felt she/he got the main ideas after a couple of chapters and skipped to the conclusions would be missing much but by the time you get through the second chapter you see how proposition-rich this book is and aren't much inclined to leap ahead." - Journal of Social History John Markoff, University of Pittsburgh This book is an analysis of the relationship between democratization and contentious politics. Used Book in Good Condition