Governance is a complex process, often divided among various structures and institutions. Local, regional, national, and even supranational entities each have their own formal and informal institutions that comprise a political system. Readers will use this comprehensive volume to examine the various types, structures, and functions of government around the world, as well as the evolution of political systems and the factors contributing to their rise and fall.

First published in 1966, Political Systems provides an examination of political systems through a sociological approach. This comprehensive survey summarizes the theories of many of the most eminent and influential political scientists- Gabriel Almond, David Easton, Edward Shils, Seymour M. Lipset, Harry M. Johnson, T.B. Bottomore, James S. Coleman, Leonard Binder, Robert K. Merton, David Apter, to name a few. Beginning with the description of general concepts, Mr. Wiseman discusses political culture and the typologies of political systems; this is followed by a methodical examination of political systems, analyzed from a wide range of sociological aspects. An appraisal of political systems from the standpoint of economic and social development then leads to a final section devoted to a study of structural functional analysis. Authoritative, thorough, well documented and conveying complex theories with a clarity for which every reader will be grateful. This is a must read for students and scholars of political science, political sociology and sociology.

A complex interplay of policy, politics, special interests, legal precedent, and administration, governance is a multidimensional art. While seeking to maintain an ordered society, governing bodies at every level must balance majority interests with socially and economically viable solutions. This thought-provoking set examines many forms of government around the world and through the ages. Included are discussions of the structures, laws, and interests with which they must contend. Features include: Comprehensive discussions of varied aspects of political science and philosophy. Sidebars spotlight significant individuals, parties, theories, and concepts. Glossaries explain key terms and ideas.

A pioneering venture, this book is the first major effort toward a valid comparison of the political systems of Asia, Africa, the Near East, and Latin America. After establishing a theoretical framework based on a functional approach to comparative politics, the authors apply their scheme to Southeast Asia (Lucian W. Pye), South Asia (Myron Weiner), SubSaharan Africa (James S. Coleman), the Near East (Dankwart Rustow), and Latin America (George I. Blanksten). In each area they survey the political background, the nature and function of political, governmental, and authoritative structures, the processes of change and means of political integration. The contributors have performed an extraordinarily difficult feat of classification, description, synthesis, and analysis in what promises to be a book of seminal importance in comparative politics. Originally published in 1960. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

The successful teaching of an introductory course in comparative politics or comparative government--as any instructor will agree involves the presentation of information organized around a coherent framework. Therefore, to be effective, a textbook must provide an articulate, methodical structure that no clarifies basic information but also makes it relevant and vital for the student. The Process of Politics is just such a book carefully chosen material; intellectual coherence and stylistic clarity are the prime characteristics of this core volume in comparative politics. Here, the significant data of comparative research are tied in with the continuing study of political systems. Throughout, a wealth of substantive material illustrates the author's theoretical perspective, so that while concentrating on existing cross-national relations and behavior patterns, the student discovers both the unique qualities of a given political system and the shared patterns common to all political systems. The Process of Politics can be adapted to any preferred method of instruction. For example, with a country-by-country approach, it can be used as an introduction to the overall field and the findings it presents can serve as models against which politics in each country may be compared. Similarly, instructors who choose the functional approach can use the book to introduce the primary governmental functions as they are performed in various political settings. The Process of Politics stimulates the student's interest in the comparative approach by emphasizing the characteristics of sound research, examining the potentialities and deficiencies of structural functionalism, and demonstrating the need for greater integration of research in this exciting and rapidly growing area.