"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 todays 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.
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. People and Politics: Voters - Parties - Interest Groups - Dissidence - Revolution 11. Political Culture 12. Ideology 13. Political Economy: Laissez-Faire - Central Planning - Mixed Economies - Welfare States 14. The Politics of Development Part II. Countries and Leaders 15. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 16. France 17. Germany 18. Japan 19. Russia 20. China 21. Mexico and Brazil 22. Nigeria and South Africa