In the aftermath of disruptive electoral and political developments such as the Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump, six important European countries went to the polls between 2017 and 2018. This book presents the results of the Issue Competition Comparative Project (ICCP), which analysed these six elections through a focus on post-ideological issue competition, leveraging a fresh theoretical perspective –and innovative data collection and analysis methods– emerging from issue yield theory. The contributors to this volume cast a new light on electoral developments that have affected Western Europe in recent years, pointing to the key distinction between problem solvers (parties and leaders that leverage their technocratic competence, and present a consensual, win-win view of contemporary transformations) and conflict mobilizers (that instead invest on the mobilization of conflict emerging from these transformations), as well as to the ability of some actors to mobilize voters across traditional ideological boundaries. In this light, parties commonly identified as "populist" simply emerge distinctively as cross-ideological conflict mobilizers; but mainstream parties appear vital and competitive as well, when they properly identify and leverage their issue advantages. Thus, the fate of democracy in Western Europe does not appear doomed to a triumph of populist appeals, but rather openly depending on the ability of political parties to leverage issue opportunities that emerge from societal demands and needs. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of West European Politics.

In the aftermath of disruptive electoral and political developments such as the Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump, six important European countries went to the polls between 2017 and 2018. This book presents the results of the Issue Competition Comparative Project (ICCP), which analysed these six elections through a focus on post-ideological issue competition, leveraging a fresh theoretical perspective – and innovative data collection and analysis methods – emerging from issue yield theory. The contributors to this volume cast a new light on electoral developments that have affected Western Europe in recent years, pointing to the key distinction between problem-solvers (parties and leaders that leverage their technocratic competence, and present a consensual, win-win view of contemporary transformations) and conflict mobilizers (that instead invest on the mobilization of conflict emerging from these transformations), as well as to the ability of some actors to mobilize voters across traditional ideological boundaries. In this light, parties commonly identified as "populist" simply emerge distinctively as cross-ideological conflict mobilizers; but mainstream parties appear vital and competitive as well, when they properly identify and leverage their issue advantages. Thus, the fate of democracy in Western Europe does not appear doomed to a triumph of populist appeals, but rather openly depending on the ability of political parties to leverage issue opportunities that emerge from societal demands and needs. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of West European Politics.

Managing change is about managing conflicting views and competing interests. Trading partners seek protectionism, even as they demand a levelling of the playing fields under tariff agreements. Consumers want quality goods at cheaper prices, while shareholders seek better returns on their investments. Nations want to expand their territories, whilst reclaiming historical losses or achieving greater regional security. People living under authoritarian regimes want their human rights and an end to oppression. Everywhere there are pushes to realign relations within and between nations, communities and organisations. Everywhere there are associated tensions. This eagerly anticipated third edition of Managing Change, Negotiating Conflict examines the causes and characteristics of conflict and provides insights and skills to those who seek to manage such situations through negotiation, joint problem solving and mediation. Case studies, drawn from as far afield as Rwanda and Burundi, Iraq, Israel as well as from South Africa, explore the application of these conflict management skills in a variety of scenarios, including political transitions and civil demonstrations, and the transformation of organisations, in both the private and public sectors. Because the authors draw examples from such a wide range of studies, the book will be invaluable to students, academics, practitioners and policy makers in the fields of international relations, political sciences, labour relations and human resources.

There has been a resurgence of interest in training programmes for higher education leaders and management (HELM) at African universities in recent times. Although there have been a few cases of evaluation studies of such programmes in Africa, a more systematic review of the lessons learnt through these programmes has not been done. This book aims to document and reflect on the learnings from intervention programmes at three African higher education councils. It is clear that university leaders face many leadership and management challenges. This is the starting point of the book.

Peacekeeping training centres play a crucial role in preparing peacekeepers for their deployment. However, despite their popularity within the international community as a tool for achieving international security, development, and state-building objectives, they have not received a great deal of analysis or academic attention. This book provides an in-depth analysis of peacekeeping training in Africa, tracing how centres have adapted to the operational and normative changes of peace operations over time and raising questions about the expectations attached to these training efforts and their impact. The book examines training content and methods in detail, exploring the potential of peacekeeping training centres as sites for socialisation and diffusing international norms in an effort to change and shape peacekeepers' behaviour. The analysis is based on two contrasting case studies, selected to show the spectrum of training centres operating in Africa, namely the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) in Durban, South Africa. At a time when impact is being determined by the number of course attendees, this book provides an important critical assessment of training efforts and what they are supposed to achieve. It will be of interest to scholars and practitioners within the fields of international security, peacekeeping, and African development.

Violent conflicts exist at many levels throughout the modern world and their influence extends, in varying degrees, to all aspects of everyday living. Ways of responding to conflicts are especially important, therefore, to all professionals and policy-makers who deal with human relations, where conflict can be a major feature. This book is a unique presentation of the views of practitioners, theorists and researchers from a variety of disciplines, looking at conflict resolution. It looks at constructive alternatives to the traditional ways of dealing with conflict, providing solutions which fall outside the usual 'win-lose' parameters. It is also a 'state-of-the-art' examination of the newly emerging field of conflict management, which is currently gaining ground as a specific area of study in the United States throughout the world. Contents Part I: Conflict Management: Generic Theory, Research, and Practice Part II: Conflict Management: Interpersonal to International Levels Part III: Conflict Management: The International Level Part IV: Conflict Management: Generic Theory, Research and Practice Re-visited

This books explores the relationships between learning, democratic citizenship and the public sphere from thee interconnected angles: theory, methodology and research. The main message of the book is that civic learning necessarily has a public character, as it is learning that emerges from engagement in democratic processes and practices that occur both at the centre and the margins of society. Through a combination of theoretical development, methodological reflection and empirical case study, the chapters in the book provide new insights in the complexities of learning in the context of the ongoing struggle for democracy.