Stephen Orvis is Professor of Government at Hamilton College. He is a specialist on sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya in particular), identity politics, democratic transitions, and the political economy of development. He has been teaching introduction to comparative politics for more than twenty-five years, as well as courses on African politics, nationalism and the politics of identity, political economy of development, and weak states. He has written a book and articles on agricultural development in Kenya, as well as several articles on civil society in Africa and Kenya, and is currently doing research on political institutions in Africa.Carol Ann Drogus is a retired Professor of Government at Hamilton College. She is a specialist on Brazil, religion, and women’s political participation. She taught introduction to comparative politics for more than twenty years, as well as courses on Latin American politics, gender and politics, and women in Latin America. She has written two books and numerous articles on the political participation of women in religious movements in Brazil.

"A solid textbook on the major topics in comparative politics that integrates case studies, most of which are recurring, in each chapter."

• Part I: A Framework For Understanding Comparative PoliticsChapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: The Modern StateChapter 3: States, Citizens, And RegimesChapter 4: States And IdentityPart II: Political Systems And How They WorkChapter 5: Governing Institutions In DemocraciesChapter 6: Institutions Of Participation And Representation In DemocraciesChapter 7: Contentious Politics: Social Movements, Political Violence, And RevolutionChapter 8: Authoritarian InstitutionsChapter 9: Regime ChangePart III: Political Economy And PolicyChapter 10: Political Economy Of WealthChapter 11: Political Economy Of DevelopmentChapter 12: Public Policies When Markets Fail: Welfare, Health, And The Environment