Comparative Politics : A Global Introduction

by Sodaro, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780073526317
• ISBN10: 0073526312
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780072867985
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-03
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
• More Book Details

Summary

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

Concepts and Critical Thinking

Comparative Politics: What Is It? Why Study It?

Major Topics of Comparative Politics

Critical Thinking about Politics: Analytical Techniques of Political Science - The Logic of Hypothesis Testing

Power

The State and Its Institutions

States and Nations: Nationalism - Nation Building - Supranationalism

Democracy: What Is It?

Democracy: How Does It Work? State Institutions and Electoral Systems

Democracy: What Does It Take? Ten Conditions

Conditions for Democracy in the Islamic World: Indonesia - Afghanistan - Iraq

People and Politics: Voters – Parties – Interest Groups – Dissidence – Revolution

Political Culture

Ideology

Political Economy: Laissez-Faire – Central Planning – Mixed Economies – Welfare States

The Politics of Development

Countries and Leaders

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

France

Germany

Japan

Russia

China

Mexico and Brazil

Nigeria and South Africa

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