The benchmark first and second editions of Comparing Democracies represented essential guides to the global study of elections. Reflecting recent developments in the field, this timely third edition gives an indispensable state-of-the art review of the whole field from the world's leading international scholars.With a completely new thematic introduction which explores how democracy is built and sustained, thoroughly updated chapters (many of which are also new) , the third edition provides a theoretical and comparative understanding of the major topics related to elections and introduces important work on key new areas.Comparing Democracies, third edition will remain a must-read for students and lecturers of elections and voting behaviour, comparative politics, parties, and democracy.Contents:Lawrence LeDuc, Richard G. Niemi, Pippa Norris Introduction: Challenges to Democratic GovernanceDavid Farrell Electoral Systems and ProceduresSusan Scarrow Political Parties and Party SystemsRussell Dalton Partisanship and IdeologyIngrid van Biezen Party and Campaign FinanceAndré Blais Political ParticipationChristopher Wlezien Election CampaignsClaes de Vreese Campaign CommunicationsMarian Sawer Women and ElectionsLees Arts Leadership EffectsTimothy Hellwig Elections and the EconomyG. Bingham Powell The Consequences of Elections