Comparative Politics, Updated Edition, 2nd edition

For courses in Introduction to Comparative Politics.

A thematic, question-driven approach to comparative politics that fosters learning and doing

Comparative Politics introduces students to political institutions, identities, and interests, and shows them how to perform authentic comparative analysis. Using a question-based format, author David Samuels helps students learn to formulate their own political arguments and to thus become informed and engaged political participants.

The Updated 2nd Edition has been thoroughly revised with fresh material that reflects recent developments. Topics receiving fresh coverage include electoral institutions, the future of regime change and nationalism.

Hallmark features of this title

• A consistent, question-based structure fosters learning.

• Each chapter begins with a central question about a core aspect of politics. This question serves a strong narrative thread for students to follow.
• Next, the author explains the ways scholars have attempted to answer the central question.
• As each chapter progresses, the central question is supported by sub-questions that encourage students to more closely examine the political puzzle.

• Hypothesis Testing boxes allow students to apply what they've learned in each chapter. Each box walks students through the process of gathering evidence in order to assess the hypothesis. This engages students actively in the process of comparative politics, helping them to learn how to construct their own arguments.

New and updated features of this title

• UPDATED: The inclusion of contemporary topics and the latest data throughout the Updated 2nd Edition emphasizes the relevance of course concepts to today's world. Highlights of new and updated content include:
• An updated discussion of electoral institutions that reflects the results of recent elections in Israel, Portugal, France, India and Germany.
• Expanded coverage of nationalism to reflect recent events such as Brexit in the UK, the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the spread of anti-immigrant sentiment in Western Europe
• An updated discussion of the political consequences of globalization which ties the topic to current events in Europe and elsewhere
• UPDATED: Up-to-date figures and tables present pertinent data that concisely illustrates key concepts. Fresh photos enhance the relevance of chapter topics for today's students.
• UPDATED: Numerous examples keep the text relevant in terms of the key questions of the discipline.