Includes bibliographical references (pages 227-238) and index.
Introduction: the political economy of fiscal policy in Europe -- Forms of fiscal governance -- European Union fiscal policy coordination and domestic budget making -- The delegation form of fiscal governance -- The commitment form of fiscal governance -- Why minority governments are different: the mixed systems of fiscal governance in Sweden and Denmark -- Italy: change in party system, change in fiscal governance -- Party system instability and incomplete forms of fiscal governance -- Conclusion: applications of the fiscal governance approach in Europe and beyond