I am deeply grateful to Cathie Marsh, who throughout the research reported in this book was a constant source of stimulating criticism, to Jon Elster for his invaluable help towards greater conceptual clarity, and to John Craig, who by offering me an impressive array of micro critical comments had an important part in improving the macro results.

I am also most grateful to Gordon A. Hughes, who spent a substantial share of his time and patience acquainting me with the use of the logit model. In addition, Pat Altham and Ugo Colombino gave me important statistical advice. I received comments on various versions of this work from several persons, and I would like to express my appreciation to Alberto Baldissera, Bob Blackburn, Flavio Bonifacio, Daniela Del Boca, Elisabetta Galeotti, Tony Giddens, A. H. Halsey, Geoffrey Hawthorn, Anthony Heath, Angelo Pichierri, Ken Prandy, Luca Ricolfi, Loredana Sciolla, David Voas, and Jonathan Zeitlin.

My friend Andy Martin gained my special gratitude for attempting to improve my style. Lynda Ball was patient and accurate in typing this work on the computer. To her go my thanks.

The research presented in this study has been possible thanks to a British Council scholarship, which supported me during a period of over two years in Cambridge.