ABSTRACT

Building on the strengths of the third edition, this highly regarded textbook continues to provide the best introduction to the strategies of comparative research in political science. Divided into three parts, the book begins by examining different methods, applying these methods to dominant issues in comparative politics using a wealth of topical examples from around the world, and then discusses the new challenges in the area. This thoroughly revised and updated edition features:

  • Additional contemporary case studies including the democratisation of technology and the Arab Spring;
  • Detailed discussion of regression analysis and diffusion;
  • More analysis of justice, inequality, and compliance;
  • Reflection on new methods and treatments of contemporary comparative politics.

Balancing reader friendly features with high quality analysis makes this popular academic text is essential reading for everyone interested in comparative politics and research methods.

part |2 pages

PART I Why, how, and problems of comparison

chapter 1|26 pages

Why compare countries?

chapter 2|28 pages

How to compare countries

chapter 3|15 pages

Comparing many countries

chapter 4|14 pages

Comparing few countries

chapter 5|11 pages

Single-country studies as comparison

part |2 pages

PART II Comparing comparisons

chapter 6|31 pages

Economic development and democracy

chapter 9|28 pages

Transitions to democracy

chapter 11|25 pages

Human rights

part |2 pages

PART III Comparative methods and new issues

chapter 13|17 pages

Common themes and different comparisons

chapter 14|11 pages

New challenges for comparative politics