Politics and Parliaments in Europe in the 1970s

This open access book examines the changing relationships between key sociopolitical actors in parliamentary democracies, including parliaments, governments, pressure groups, and citizen movements. Focusing on the 1970s, it analyses the political significance of major events and developments and their impact on domestic policymaking and political processes from a range of perspectives. During this period, politicians and parliaments faced the challenge of responding to citizens' demands while pursuing ambitious programmes of social reform amid economic crises and increasing fiscal constraints. The volume explores how political actors understood, managed, and sought to shape these complex and often turbulent circumstances. Adopting a comparative and cross-national perspective, the book highlights both the influence of international developments and the continuing importance of national political agency. Through a series of case studies, it illuminates the interplay between transnational trends and local particularities. In doing so, it advances scholarly debates on the role of parliamentary politics in the 1970s and provides a foundation for further research in the field.

Ronald Kroeze is Professor of Parliamentary History and Director of the Centre for Parliamentary History at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. His research explores the history of modern politics and democracy, parliamentary history, the history of corruption and anti-corruption, and the impact of (new public) management and neoliberalism on Dutch and European politics since the 1970s.

Fons Meijer is a researcher in the Centre for Parliamentary History at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. His research focuses on the history of political representation, collective identity formation, and media culture.

Hilde Reiding is a researcher in the Centre for Parliamentary History at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Her areas of specialisation include parliamentary history, the history of extra-parliamentary movements, the history of European integration, and questions of democracy within the EU.

EUDR exemption - product or manufacturing materials placed on the market prior to 31.12.2025.