This textbook has been carefully designed to meet the needs of students taking introductory courses in Politics. It is accessible and exciting, and by taking the widest possible definition of what is political it offers unrivalled coverage of the subject. Specially designed as an interactive text, it includes think points, exercises and extracts as well as a range of illustrative material to stimulate responses from the reader. The authors emphasise the role of the individual in politics, and the interplay between the personal, the national and the global. They introduce topical issues and examples to bring the subject to life. Features and benefits of Politics: An Introduction: * Comprehensive: includes chapters on political sociology, political institutions, the state, political parties and associations, political thought and a whole section on international and global politics * User-friendly : includes marginal comments, key words and definitions, extensive cross-referencing and a glossary * Clearly written: by a team who are all actively involved in teaching undergraduates and whose enthusiasm for teaching and engaging with students and issues is manifest * Encourages further study : through imaginative and annotated further reading sections at the ends of chapters and a consolidated bibliography.