First published in 1992. Rush and Althoff's An Introduction to Political Sociology was published in 1971 and has been out of print for some years. In the meantime, the scope of political sociology has broadened considerably and a number of its traditional concerns have benefited from further research and publication, although some have suffered from relative neglect. The present volume is not therefore a revised edition of the original book, but a new and much more comprehensive piece of work, covering a number of major themes not previously included. Its purpose is to introduce students to the wide range of concepts, themes and ideas now regarded as central to political sociology and to draw on the extensive research available.