Comparative Politics Today is the text that helped define the discipline of comparative politics, and it continues to set the standard in examining the purpose of government and comparing the world's diverse political systems. Written by leading comparativists and area study specialists, this text begins with chapters that clarify key concepts in politics and government and show how theoretical frameworks describe and analyze the differences and the similarities among countries. The twelve country studies that follow focus on countries that are leaders within their regions and the larger world. Each country study includes the most current information and consistently applies the theoretical framework to explore broad issues like why some countries modernize more quickly or why some are more democratic. With numerous photos, figures, and tables to clarify complex political data and structures, Comparative Politics Today helps students learn about other countries, regions, and the world, and it will help them ask-and answer-fundamental questions about politics and government.