Introduction to Comparative Politics : Challenges of Conflict and Change in a New Era

by Nagle,John D.

• ISBN13: 9780830414758
• ISBN10: 0830414754
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

This updated text introduces students to the major challenges facing political systems as we approach the year 2000. The systems are grouped into three types: the advanced, liberal, democracies; the Communist and post-Communist nations; and the developing nations. Nagle examines the performance records of these systems in four areas -- economic growth, social equality, personal liberty, and quality of life. The fifth edition has a major focus on transitions from Communism to post-Communism. It pays more attention to Japan, India, and Mexico as examples, and treats issues like ethnic conflict, crisis in the welfare state, and new world disorder. Nagle provides the latest data available.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fifth Edition	vii
1. Learning from Comparison--Today More Than Ever	1	(21)
2. From the Liberal Welfare State to a Postindustrial Democracy	22	(32)
3. Affluent Consumerism--Now in Danger?	54	(25)
4. Social Equality--An Eroding Commitment	79	(32)
5. Liberty--Historic Gains Need to Be Defended	111	(16)
6. Quality of Life--The Disillusionment of Modernity	127	(23)
ESSAY: THINKING ABOUT POST-COLD WAR POLITICS IN THE LIBERAL DEMOCRACIES	150	(4)
7. The Rise and Fall of Communism--Challenges for Postcommunism	154	(28)
8. Two Historic Transitions in Economic Development	182	(32)
9. Social Equality--From State Egalitarianism to the New Inequalities	214	(19)
10. Post-Communist Gains in Personal Freedom	233	(20)
11. Security and Alienation in Communism and Postcommunism	253	(18)
ESSAY: MANAGING CONFLICT AND CHANGE IN POSTCOMMUNISM	271	(3)
12. Beyond the Third World after the Cold War	274	(30)
13. Economic Growth Strategies for the Developing Nations	304	(31)
14. Inequality--Failures in Social Justice	335	(29)
15. Liberty--A Difficult History	364	(30)
16. Quality of Life--Dilemmas of Third World Modernization	394	(27)
ESSAY: FINALLY EXITING THE THIRD WORLD?	421	(4)
References	425	(16)
Index	441