Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction to comparative politics. 2. Unitary and federal governments. 3. Structural functional approach. 4. System approach. 5. Pressure groups in political system. 6. Political socialisation and culture. 7. Constitution and governments. 8. Typology of party systems. 9. Political Modernisation. Bibliography.

"As a field study, comparative study is as old as politics, ever since man became conscious of its environment and felt interested in studying his environment and institutions. He also became interested in studying how other men were living in different society and which way of living was better than the others. As a part of this exercise, the students of politics naturally started studying and comparing the governments and political institutions of various societies. Their endeavour came to be characterised as comparative government which, with the passage of time, came to be developed into a science of comparative politics. Its importance has immensely increased in contemporary times because of the new opportunities provided by the existence of more than 160 states managed by a variety of political structures and functions as well as due to the development of several new concepts, tools and approaches for the conduct of comparative studies." (jacket)