It is almost impossible to conceive politics and current political systems without parties. You can even say that the power structure and governance of most Western countries in the last century? Or century and a half, in some cases? It can hardly be understood without reference to political parties. These perform functions that, although they can vary considerably in their nature and intensity, are crucial to maintaining political systems. So it is no wonder the oft-repeated assertion that modern democracies are democracies parties.

Political Science? And specifically the Estasiología or "science of parties" as part of it? It contributes decisively to the knowledge of the political parties, their origin, evolution, organization, ideology and operation. and links with other disciplines such as law, sociology, history and, in general, with multiple branches of the social sciences dealing with the state and citizens relations with public authorities.

The purpose of this book is to provide an updated handbook on political parties and party systems. It addresses the core issues of their study through an ordered set of work by university professors who also contribute their own experience on parties and electoral behavior in several national and regional cases.