This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Needler's well-known text brings his comprehensive examination and analysis of Mexican politics up through the 1994 Mexican elections. Providing historical and geographical background, the work examines economics and politics in the light of the structural changes attending the adoption of the neo-liberal economic model. Also addressed are the implications of NAFTA, the Zapatista rebellion, and the assassination of Luis Donaldo Colosio, among other current political issues. An ideal text for students of comparative politics, Latin American studies, and recent Latin American history.

This text contains an analysis of the key concepts, hypotheses, and models of comparative politics. The work of key theorists is examined. Concepts include revolution, dictatorship, political development, legitimacy, and others. The author formulates ways in which the key concept can be made clearer, the hypothesis can be modified to give it more explanatory power, or the model refined so that it approximates empirical reality more closely. Political ideology is presented as a particular descriptive understanding of the world, together with a prescription for desirable political outcomes. In politics the danger comes from too much ideological thinking, or from too little.

"The Concepts of Comparative PoliticS" is analytical, yet also empirical. It focuses on the premise that one must have a unifying vision, an integrated view of the world, which otherwise becomes a chaos of unintelligible events. Yet possession of that world view should not be carried to the point of limiting one's ability to perceive factual situations correctly. This work is invaluable as a text for Introduction to Comparative Politics and as a supplement for any course in comparative politics.

In politics, individual political behavior is often ascribed to class and ethnic identity. How does this happen? In this text, Needler shows how the individual constructs his or her political identity, and develops ideologies that guide their political behavior. Intended as an alternative to traditional introductory texts in politics and political science, this book is, at the same time, a survey and introduction to political theory, a survey and introduction to comparative and American politics, and a review of contemporary international relations. These topics are combined in a novel and creative way so as to provide a readable and informative text for undergraduate students or laypersons. The author's fresh approach will be welcomed by teachers in politics and political science.

In politics, individual political behavior is often ascribed to class and ethnic identity. How does this happen? In this text, Needler shows how the individual constructs his or her political identity, and develops ideologies that guide their political behavior. Intended as an alternative to traditional introductory texts in politics and political science, this book is, at the same time, a survey and introduction to political theory, a survey and introduction to comparative and American politics, and a review of contemporary international relations. These topics are combined in a novel and creative way so as to provide a readable and informative text for undergraduate students or laypersons. The author's fresh approach will be welcomed by teachers in politics and political science.

This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Needler's well-known text brings his comprehensive examination and analysis of Mexican politics up through the 1994 Mexican elections. Providing historical and geographical background, the work examines economics and politics in the light of the structural changes attending the adoption of the neo-liberal economic model. Also addressed are the implications of NAFTA, the Zapatista rebellion, and the assassination of Luis Donaldo Colosio, among other current political issues. An ideal text for students of comparative politics, Latin American studies, and recent Latin American history.