Combining thematic chapters and country cases, Comparative Politics Today: A World View sets the standard for introducing the field of comparative politics and for illustrating how to compare the worlds political systems. This text begins by laying out a proven analytical framework that is accessible for students new to the field; it is then consistently implemented in twelve authoritative country cases not only to introduce students to what politics and governments are like around the world but to also understand the importance of their similarities and differences. Written by leading comparativists and area study specialists, Comparative Politics Today helps to sort through the worlds complexity and to recognize patterns that lead to genuine political insight.
1) Brief Table of Contents 2) Full Table of Contents 1) Brief Table of Contents PART ONE: INTRODUCTION Chapter 1: Issues in Comparative Politics Chapter 2: Comparing Political Systems PART TWO: SYSTEM, PROCESS, AND POLICY Chapter 3: Political Culture and Political Socialization Chapter 4: Interest Articulation Chapter 5: Interest Aggregation and Political Parties Chapter 6: Government and Policymaking Chapter 7: Public Policy PART THREE: COUNTRY STUDIES Chapter 8: Politics in Britain by Richard Rose Chapter 9: Politics in France by Martin A. Schain Chapter 10: Politics in Germany by Russell J. Dalton Chapter 11: Politics in Japan by Frances Rosenbluth and Michael F. Thies Chapter 12: Politics in Russia by Thomas F. Remington Chapter 13: Politics in China by Melanie Manion Chapter 14: Politics in Mexico by Wayne A. Cornelius and Jeffrey A. Weldon Chapter 15: Politics in Brazil by Frances Hagopian and Timothy J. Power Chapter 16: Politics in Iran by H.E. Chehabi and Arang Keshavarzian Chapter 17: Politics in India by Subrata K. Mitra Chapter 18: Politics in Nigeria by A. Carl LeVan, Robert J. Mundt, and Oladimeji Aborisade Chapter 19: Politics in the United States by Thad Kousser and Austin Ranney 2) Full Table of Contents Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: Issues in Comparative Politics What is Politics? Governments and the State of Nature Why Governments? When Does Government Become the Problem Political Systems and States The Diversity of States Challenges: Building Community Fostering Economic Development Fostering Democracy, Human Rights, and Civil Liberties Looking Forward Chapter 2: Comparing Political Systems Why We Compare How We Compare How We Explain and Predict Political Systems: Environment and Interdependence Political Systems: Structures and Functions An Illustrative Comparison: Regime Change in Russia The Policy Level: Performance, Outcome, and Evaluation Part II: System, Process, and Policy Chapter 3: Political Culture and Political Socialization Mapping the Three Levels of Political Culture Why Culture Matters Political Socialization Agents of Political Socialization Trends Shaping Contemporary Political Cultures Chapter 4: Interest Articulation Citizen Action How Citizens Participate Interest Groups Civil Society Interest Group Systems Access to the Influential Policy Perspectives on Interest Articulation Interest Group Development Chapter 5: Interest Aggregation and Political Parties Personal Interest Aggregation Institutional Interest Aggregation Competitive Party Systems and Interest Aggregation Authoritarian Party Systems The Military and Interest Aggregation Trends in Interest Aggregation Significance of Interest Aggregation Chapter 6: Government and Policymaking Constitutions and Decision Rules Democracy and Authoritarianism Separation of Government Powers Geographic Distribution of Government Power Limitations on Government Power Checking the Top Policymakers Assemblies Political Executives The Bureaucracy Part III: Country Studies Chapter 7: Politics in Britain Richard Rose Country Bio-United Kingdom Policy Challenges Facing British Government The Environment of Politics: One Crown but Five Nations The Legacy of History The Structure of Government The Cabinet and Cabinet Ministers Political Culture and Legitimacy Political Socialization Political Participation Political Recruitment Organizing Group Interests Party System and Electoral Choice Centralized Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies Why Public Policy Matters Policy Outcomes in Society Chapter 8: Politics in France Martin A. Schain Country Bio-France Current Policy Challenges A Historical Perspective Economy and Society The Constitutional Tradition Political Culture Political Socialization Recruitment and Style of Elites Interest Groups Political Parties Patterns of Voting Policy Processes The State and Territorial Relations Performance and Prospects Chapter 9: Politics in Germany Russell J. Dalton Country Bio-Germany Current Policy Challenges The Historical Legacy Following Two Paths Social Forces The Institutions and Structure of Government Remaking Political Cultures Political Learning and Political Communication Citizen Participation Politics at the Elite Level Interest Groups Party Government The Party System The Role of Elections The Policymaking Process Policy Performance Addressing the Policy Challenges After the Revolution Chapter 10: Politics in Japan Frances Rosenbluth and Michael F. Thies Country Bio-Japan Current Policy Challenges Historical Origins of the Modern Japanese State The Occupation Political Culture and Issue Cleavages Political Socialization Political Participation and Voting Behavior The Japanese Party System Interest Groups The Policymaking Process Policy Performance Concluding Thoughts About Japanese Politics Chapter 11: Politics in Russia Thomas F. Remington Country Bio-Russia Ensuring Continuity of Power Current Policy Challenges Historical Legacies The Contemporary Constitutional Order Russian Political Culture in the Post-Soviet Period Political Participation Interest Articulation: Between Statism and Pluralism Parties and the Aggregation of Interests The Politics of Economic Reform Rule Adjudication: Toward the Rule of Law Russia and the International Community Chapter 12: Politics in China Melanie Manion Country Bio-China Current Policy Challenges Historical Setting Social Conditions Structure of the Party-State Political Socialization Political Culture Political Participation Interest Articulation and Aggregation Policymaking and Implementation Policy Performance Hong Kong Taiwan Chinas Political Future Chapter 13: Politics in Mexico Wayne A. Cornelius and Jeffrey A. Weldon Country Bio-Mexico Current Policy Challenges Historical Perspectives Political Culture Mass Political Socialization Political Participation Political Structure and Institutions Recruiting the Political Elite Interest Representation and Political Control Political Parties Government Performance Mexicos Political Future Chapter 14: Politics in Brazil Frances Hagopian Country Bio-Brazil Current Policy Challenges Historical Perspectives Economy and Society Institutions and Structures of Government Political Culture Socialization and Mass Communication Political Recruitment and Political Participation Interest Groups Political Parties and Elections The Policymaking Process Policy Performance International Relations Prospects for the Future Chapter 15: Politics in Iran H. E. Chehabi and Arang Keshavarzian Country Bio-Iran Current Policy Challenges Historical Legacy Institutions of the Islamic Republic Elections and Parties Political Culture Political Socialization Recruiting the Political Elite Interest Articulation and Aggregation Policy Formulation Policy Outcomes Conclusion Chapter 16: Politics in India Subrata K. Mitra Country Bio-India Current Policy Challenges History in the Making of Contemporary Politics The "Givens" of Indian Society Political Institutions and the Policy Process The Federal Structure The Articulation of Interests The Party System Political Culture Elections and Participation Political Recruitment Policy Outputs: Economics, Welfare, and Poverty Conclusion: Democracy and Development Chapter 17: Politics in Nigeria Robert J. Mundt, Oladimeji Aborisade, and A. Carl LeVan Country Bio-Nigeria Current Policy Challenges The Effects of History Environmental Potential and Limitations Political Culture and Subcultures Political Socialization Political Recruitment Political Structure Interest Articulation Political Participation Parties and Elections Policy Formation and Implementation Nigeria in Africa and in the World Prospects for Development Chapter 18: Politics in the United States Thad Kousser and Austin Ranney Country Bio-the United States Current Policy Challenges History Social Conditions The Constitutional System Political Culture and Socialization Political Participation and Recruitment Recruitment of Leaders Interest Articulation: PACs and Pressure Groups The Special Characteristics of American Political Parties The Policymaking Process in America Policy Performance American Exceptionalism: Myth or Reality? Index