Introduction to Politics: Governments and Nations in the Twenty-First Century

Introduction to Politics provides a concise yet complete view of political institutions and developments since the end of the Cold War. Topics covered include political philosophy, political culture, democracy and other forms of government, the primary forces of governments (the legislatures, executive, and judiciary), and topics of particular interest due to current events: the global political economy, political violence, international relations, and ethnic conflict. Using a comparative perspective, this text introduces students to politics framed in a wider worldview than many texts available. A political atlas at the end of the text also provides a valuable resource, containing maps of historically and presently crucial geographical and cultural areas.