Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas [Paperback]

Mark Kesselman (Author), Joel Krieger (Author), William A. Joseph (Author), Ervand Abrahamian (Author), Christopher S. Allen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618604472 | ISBN-13: 978-0618604470 | Publication Date: January 24, 2006 | Edition: 4

Written by a distinguished group of comparativists, this innovative and accessible introductory text surveys 12 key countries organized according to their level of political development: established democracies, transitional democracies, and non-democracies. The country studies illuminate four comparative themes in a global context: the world of states, examining the interaction of states within the international order; governing the economy, covering the role of the state in economic management; the democratic idea, discussing the pressure for more democracy and the challenges of democratization; and the politics of collective identities, studying the political impact of diverse attachments and sources of group identity. The theoretical framework developed in an expanded introduction provides a rich context for each country study, and clear prose makes the book accessible to students with little or no background in political science. Students will also benefit from the data sheet at the beginning of each chapter that includes basic demographic, socioeconomic, and political information, to aid in country comparisons. In addition, they can use the Geographic Setting sections in each chapter, as well as maps, tables, charts, photographs, and political cartoons to further their understanding of each country studied.

Product Details

• Paperback: 682 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 4 edition (January 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618604472
• ISBN-13: 978-0618604470
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #437,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a standard introduction to comparative politics, June 13, 2008

By 

balyzu (Princeton, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas (Paperback)

This is a standard introductory comparative politics textbook that provides a solid background on a variety of countries. It discusses historical context, economic development, political institutions, electoral issues, etc. I found the tone of the book to be clear and non-irritating. However, there is much to say about these countries and some things inevitably get ignored or treated inadequately. One example that struck me especially was the treatment of the concept of a developmental state. It gets discussed somewhat in the chapter about Brazil while the chapter on Japan - the ultimate developmental state if there ever was one - pretty much ignores the concept altogether. This leads me to think that this book, although it provides significant background and some insights, has to be supplemented with other materials.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Who edited this book?, August 21, 2011

By 

T. Russell - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Comparative Politics (Paperback)

Wow. After paying 113 dollars for this book I thought I might as well skim through it and get familiar with its text for the upcoming semester. But through my flipping of the pages I stumbled upon a major error. On page 581 they placed the demographics of Brazil in the section of Iran. The two have no correlation and I feel that I should be given perfection for the money that I paid.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reading, January 18, 2009

By 

P. Nieves (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas (Paperback)

This book is excellent reading for anyone who is interested in learning about the politics of other countries around the world. It is very informative and straight to the point. It commands the attention of the reader.