A balance of thematic chapters and country studies gives students the theoretical 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 methodologies in comparative politics and present the systems/process/policy framework to show how governments and politics in different countries can be systematically compared. Twelve country studies by leading area experts describe the politics of each country and comment 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. MyPoliSciKit for Comparative Politics Today (www.mypoliscikit.com). This premium online learning companion 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. Custom Database for Comparative Politics (www.pearsoncustom.com/custom-library/pearson-custom-comparative-politics). 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, Bulgaria, 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. Visit us online and learn more!.