Thoroughly updated to cover world affairs up to 2009, Comparative Politics Today continues to set the standard for comparing the world's political systems and for examining the purpose of government. This text includes thematic chapters and country studies that define fundamental political science concepts, lay out a theoretical framework, and analyze differences and similarities among countries. Written by leading comparativists and area study specialists, Comparative Politics Today helped define the field of comparative politics and will help students ask-and answer-fundamental questions about politics and government.