Countries and Concepts

Updated in its 12th edition, Countries and Concepts systematically examines politics from around the world and presents eleven accessible and in-depth studies of Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, and Iran. This text looks at similarities and differences in five key areas of each country to facilitate comparative analysis, defining important concepts and integrating examples from current events throughout. Highly readable and thought-provoking, Countries and Concepts introduces readers to the politics and governments of the world and bolsters their civic education by considering the historical, political, economic, geographical, and moral aspects of democracy.

Chapter 1. The Uses of Comparative Politics

PART I. THE DEMOCRACIES

Chapter 2. Britain

Chapter 3. France

Chapter 4. Germany

Chapter 5. Japan

PART II. THE POST-COMMUNIST SYSTEMS

Chapter 6. Russia

Chapter 7. China

PART III. THE DEVELOPING AREAS

Chapter 8. India

Chapter 9. Mexico

Chapter 10. Brazil

Chapter 11. Nigeria

Chapter 12. Iran

Epilogue. Lessons of Eleven Countries

• Treats¿politics as a series of ongoing quarrels¿for which no permanent solutions can be found and casts a skeptical eye on all political systems and all solutions proposed for political problems. Each country is treated with equal candor; none get a free pass. (ex. p. 18)
• Surveys the¿same five key areas in each country¿to facilitate comparison:
  • The Impact of the Past: How a country’s geography and history influences its politics today, including sovereignty and democracy. (ex. p. 25)
  • The Key Institutions: Who and what are the power centers, including the executive, legislature, and interest groups. (ex. p. 34)
  • Political Culture: How citizens react to their government and politics, including ideology. (ex. p. 93)
  • Patterns of Interaction: Who tried to do what to whom, including elections and interest groups. (ex. p. 197)
  • What They Quarrel About: Who is fighting about what, including debates over foreign policy and the economy. (ex. p. 203)
• Develops a broader base of knowledge through¿five boxed features that support each country:
  • “Democracy” illustrates how each country is moving towards—or away—from democracy. (ex. p. 84)
  • “Personalities” discuss the impact of key political figures. (ex. p. 221)
  • “Comparison” shows how detailing similarities and differences yields political insight. (ex. p. 112)
  • “Geography” reveals how politics is affected by physical and human features in space, like boundaries, natural resources, and more. (ex. p. 131)
  • “Political Culture” looks closer at a country’s political beliefs, philosophies, and ideologies. (ex. p. 48)
• Teaches students the language that political scientists use through an¿extensive marginal glossary. (ex. p. 28)
• Incorporates photos, maps, figures, tables, and end-of-chapter lists of key terms and suggested readings to¿help students master the material. (ex. p. 72)

Michael G. Roskin is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Lycoming College.