Comparative Politics: A Global Introduction presents a uniquely comprehensive approach to the study of politics in a variety of countries. Part I surveys the core topics of comparative politics and equips students with the concepts and analytical methods they need to understand the complexities of today’s political world. Part I enhances critical thinking skills by explaining in a step-by-step fashion how the basic techniques of the scientific method, such as qualitative hypothesis testing, can be used to understand political realities. Part II provides in-depth studies of many major countries, using the concepts and analytical techniques introduced in Part I. By combining rich conceptualization, analytical methods, and extensive coverage of a diversity of countries, this engaging text teaches introductory-level students how to think about politics for themselves, logically and systematically.
Table of contents:
Part I. Concepts and Critical Thinking
1. Comparative Politics: What Is It? Why Study It?
2. Major Topics of Comparative Politics
3. Critical Thinking about Politics: Analytical Techniques of Political Science - The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
4. Power
5. The State and Its Institutions
6. States and Nations: Nationalism - Nation Building - Supranationalism
7. Democracy: What Is It?
8. Democracy: How Does It Work? State Institutions and Electoral Systems
9. Democracy: What Does It Take? Ten Conditions
10. Conditions for Democracy in the Islamic World: Indonesia - Afghanistan - Iraq
11. People and Politics: Voters – Parties – Interest Groups – Dissidence – Revolution
12. Political Culture
13. Ideology
14. Political Economy: Laissez-Faire – Central Planning – Mixed Economies – Welfare States
15. The Politics of Development
Part II. Countries and Leaders
16. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
17. France
18. Germany
19. Japan
20. Russia
21. China
22. Mexico and Brazil
23. Nigeria and South Africa
Table of contents:
Part I. Concepts and Critical Thinking
1. Comparative Politics: What Is It? Why Study It?
2. Major Topics of Comparative Politics
3. Critical Thinking about Politics: Analytical Techniques of Political Science - The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
4. Power
5. The State and Its Institutions
6. States and Nations: Nationalism - Nation Building - Supranationalism
7. Democracy: What Is It?
8. Democracy: How Does It Work? State Institutions and Electoral Systems
9. Democracy: What Does It Take? Ten Conditions
10. Conditions for Democracy in the Islamic World: Indonesia - Afghanistan - Iraq
11. People and Politics: Voters – Parties – Interest Groups – Dissidence – Revolution
12. Political Culture
13. Ideology
14. Political Economy: Laissez-Faire – Central Planning – Mixed Economies – Welfare States
15. The Politics of Development
Part II. Countries and Leaders
16. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
17. France
18. Germany
19. Japan
20. Russia
21. China
22. Mexico and Brazil
23. Nigeria and South Africa