Introduction to Politics

• Broad coverage includes concepts and ideologies, comparative politics, and International Relations, offering students a thorough grounding in the subject and reflecting the way in which modules are changing to position domestic politics in a more international context.
• The book moves beyond a descriptive narrative, taking an analytical approach that ensures students are challenged and appreciate the complexities inherent in the subject.
• The book focuses on non-Western systems as appropriate, using examples from a wide range of countries, including the Islamic states, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa, thus allowing students to appreciate the nature of current global politics.
• 'Case Study' boxes and numerous examples ensure that the book consistently demonstrates the practical application of political concepts.
• Excellent learning features throughout support student learning, including reader's guides, key points, questions, guide to further reading, boxes, cross-references linking together the chapters, and a glossary.
• Photographs are used throughout to illustrate examples and help to create a visually appealing book.
• Four colour text helps to aid navigation.
• Accompanied by an innovative Online Resource Centre that is well integrated with the book, and includes further case studies.

Readership: First year undergraduate students taking an introductory politics module as part of a single or combined honours BA Politics degree.

Robert Garner, Professor of Politics, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Leicester, Peter Ferdinand, Reader in Politics, Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick, and Stephanie Lawson, Department of Modern History, Politics, International Relations and Security, Macquarie University

"This book provides authoritative and accessible coverage of the three main building blocks of the modern study of politics." - Professor Wyn Grant, University of Warwick

"Introduction to Politics is an outstanding textbook... I found it to be perfectly tuned to our students. Unlike many introductory books, it nicely balances political theory, comparative politics and international relations [and] combines history, theory and empirical data in just the right measures...Overall, an outstanding text that will serve teachers and students in the UK, North America and more widely, well." - Dr Anthony F. Lang, University of St Andrews

"A tour de force of relevant and important information woven into a contemporary framework." - Ken Duckett, University of Kent

"An absolute must for anyone interested in politics. It achieves the invaluable task of successfully demonstrating the pervasiveness of politics and will get all readers thinking politically... An invigorating back-to-basics read that reminded me why I first got interested in politics." - Dr Liam Weeks, University College, Cork

"A first class introduction to the study of politics that is informed, incisive and accessible." - Gillian Peele, University of Oxford

Introduction: Politics and Political Analysis
Concepts and Ideologies Robert Garner:
Politics and the State
Political Power and Authority
Democracy
Freedom and Justice
Traditional Ideologies
Challenges to the Dominant Ideologies
Comparative Politics Peter Ferdinand:
Institutions and States
Constitutions, Law and Judiciaries
Executives and Legislators
Bureaucracies, Policy Studies and Governance
Votes, Elections, Parties
Civil Society, Interest Groups and the Media
Political Culture
International Relations Stephanie Lawson:
Sovereignty, the State and International Order
Traditional Theories of International Relations
Alternative Approaches to International Relations
Security and Insecurity
Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
International Organizations
International Political Economy
Conclusion