Longman / Prentice Hall

Political Science

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Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 9/E
Gabriel A. Almond, Stanford University
G. Bingham J. Powell, Jr., University of Rochester
Russell J. Dalton, University of California, Irvine
Kaare Strøm, University of California, San Diego

ISBN-10: 0205529313
ISBN-13: 9780205529315

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2008
Format: Paper; 800 pp
Published: 07/18/2007

Suggested retail price: $118.40
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Comparative Politics Today is the text that helped define the discipline of comparative politics, and it continues to set the standard in examining the purpose of government and comparing the world’s diverse political systems.


Written by leading comparativists and area study specialists, this text's opening chapters outline key concepts in politics and government and show how theoretical frameworks describe and analyze the differences and the similarities among countries. The twelve country studies that follow focus on countries that are leaders within their regions and the larger world. Each country study includes the most current information and consistently applies the theoretical framework to explore broad issues like why some countries modernize more quickly or why some are more democratic. With numerous photos, figures, and tables to clarify complex political data and structures, Comparative Politics Today helps students learn about other countries, regions, and the world, and it will help them ask–and answer–fundamental questions about politics and government.

  • A balance of thematic chapters and country studies gives students the theory and country knowledge they need to study comparative politics and to explore the text’s theme of why governments exist, what functions they serve, and how they create problems and solutions.
  • Seven thematic chapters based on Gabriel Almond’s groundbreaking scholarship introduce key issues and methodology in comparative politics as well as the systems, process, and policy framework to show how governments and politics in different countries can be systematically compared.
  • Twelve country studies by leading area experts provide standardized description and analysis of politics in each country and allow for commentary on their unique political characteristics. To facilitate comparison, each chapter typically covers historical, social, and economic context, government institutions and structures, political culture and socialization, interest groups, political parties, policy processes and outcomes, and international relations.
  • The broadest geographical survey of developed and developing countries, including a unique chapter on the United States, offers students a global introduction to comparative politics and a wider sense of political possibilities, problems, and limitations.
  • Boxes throughout the text compare political systems, provide examples of important political leaders and events, and examine trends like globalization and fundamentalism.
  • Updated “Current Policy Challenges” and country biographies at the beginning of each chapter review that country’s major political issues and place them in historical context.
  • Numerous maps, figures, and tables present important data on geography, population, and economics as well as clarify key concepts in politics and government.
  • Key terms, review questions, and suggested websites and readings at the end of each chapter offer an opportunity for critical thinking and further study.
  • Custom Database for Comparative Politics (www.pearsoncustom.com/database/comp_polisci.html). The online book-building site makes it easy for you to create your own version of this bestselling text. Choose the thematic chapters and country studies you need for your course, including ones not in Comparative Politics Today like Spain, Poland, Hungary, Egypt, and the European Union. Just click on the chapters you need, place them in the order you teach them, and add outside materials like syllabi, exercises, readings, etc. You will receive your own free evaluation copy so you can see your text before you decide. Your students pay only for the chapters that you assign. Visit us online and learn more!

The most authoritative introduction to comparative politics features updated thematic chapters that reflect the latest political events, data, and political theory, including more coverage of democratic representation, development and public policy, international and regional conflicts, and transnational issues. Each thematic chapter also includes new critical thinking questions and more boxes that compare patterns across countries.

The most current country studies available cover and analyze the latest political developments:

    • Britain–The building domestic and international problems facing the Labour government and the transition to post-Blair politics.
    • France–The protests and contention of the past several years, the French voters’ rejection of the European Union’s Constitutional Treaty, and hotly contested presidential election of 2007 and the victory of Nicolas Sarkozy.
    • Germany–The cliff-hanger election of 2005 and the bargaining that led to a new Grand Coalition, headed by Germany’s first woman Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
    • Japan–The surprising snap election of 2005 and the retirement of controversial Prime Minister Koizumi and his replacement by Shinzo Abe.
    • Russia–Vladimar Putin’s rebuilding of a powerful government by eliminating opposition in civil society and the media and recentralizing executive power, Russia’s economic resurgence and its dependence on the country’s oil resources.
    • China–The impact of China’s booming economic growth on Communist Party control and policies.
    • Mexico–The bitterly fought presidential election of 2006 and the victory of Felipe Calderón.
    • Brazil–President Lula’s struggle to improve the lots of the Brazilian poor and his reelection despite the corruption scandals that have rocked his administration.
    • Iran–This new chapter introduces the politics of domination by religious theocracy, yet multiple power centers, in the volatile Middle East region.
    • India–Its remarkable story of economic growth, the nuclear framework agreement with the United States, and the continuing conflicts in Kashmir and elsewhere.
    • Nigeria–The critical and scandal-ridden 2007 presidential election in a context of ethnic and religious conflict.
    • United States–The controversial war in Iraq and the election of a new Democratic majority in Congress in November 2006.
A new chapter on Iran by H.E. Chehabi and Arang Keshavarzian covers an increasingly important global power.

New guides to analyzing visuals and making thematic comparisons across countries helps students get more out of the study of comparative politics.

A streamlined narrative helps students focus on the most important information.

A new two-color design enlivens the text.

The new MyPoliSciKit for Comparative Politics This premium online learning resource features multimedia and interactive activities to help students make connections between concepts and current events. The book-specific assessment, video case studies, comparative exercises, mapping exercises, Financial Times newsfeeds, and politics blog encourage comprehension and critical thinking. With Grade Tracker, instructors can easily follow students’ work on the site and their progress on each activity. MyPoliSciKit is available at no additional charge when packaged with this book. To learn more, please visit www.mypoliscikit.com or contact your Pearson representative.

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

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 Robert J. Mundt, Oladimeji Aborisade, and A. Carl LeVan

Chapter 19. Politics in the United States by Austin Ranney and Thad Kousser

Gabriel Almond (deceased) was Professor of Political Science at Stanford University.

G. Bingham Powell is Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Political Science at the University of Rochester.

Russell J. Dalton is Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine.

Kaare Strøm is Professor of Political Science at the University of California, San Diego.


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