The latest politics textbooks

Demystifying the European Union: The Enduring Logic of Regional Integration

Author: Roy H. Ginsberg
Edition: First
Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
Price: £17.99
ISBN 9780742536555

This text places the European Union in historical and global context. The author not only looks at integration and disintegration since the Roman era, he compares and contrasts the federal aspects of the EU and the US.

The New British Politics
Authors: Ian Budge, David McKay, John Bartle and Ken Newton
Edition: Fourth
Publisher: Longman
Price: £.99
ISBN 9781405824217

Internationally known academics from politics departments across the UK present a political overview with an emphasis on law and order and historical context.

Europe Today
Authors: Ronald Tiersky and Erik Jones
Edition: Third
Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
Price: £21.99
ISBN 9780742555013

Politics and European studies professors present a European slant on topics such as the Iraq war, terrorism and the role of Nato. New chapters cover France, Britain, Russia, Eastern Europe and EU law.

Politics UK
Authors: Bill Jones, Dennis Kavanagh, Michael Moran and Philip Norton
Edition: Sixth
Publisher: Longman
Price: £.99
ISBN 9781405824118

This updated and in-depth look at the British political system is split into six parts: context; defining the political world; the representative process; the legislative process; the executive process; and the policy process.

American Foreign Policy
Author Bruce Jentleson
Edition Third
Publisher Norton
Price £16.99
ISBN 9780393928594

In an updated to reflect recent political developments, Duke University professor Bruce Jentleson addresses some of the fundamental uncertainties of US foreign policy such as the wielding of power and the pursuit of peace and remaining true to its principles. The text strikes a balance between classic and current issues in foreign policy and contains writings from major political figures as well as other academics.

Essentials of Comparative Politics
Author Patrick O’Neil
Edition Second
Publisher Norton
Price £29.99
ISBN 9780393928761

This text first introduces fundamental political science concepts and then allows students to build on them. The second edition has been updated with a new chapter on political violence, as well as new coverage of relevant issues such as religious fundamentalism and the effects of globalisation.

Politics and Society in the Developing World
Authors Peter Calvert and Susan Calvert
Edition Third
Publisher Longman
Price £25.99
ISBN 9781405824408

This concise introduction to politics in the developing world scrutinises the varied political institutions as well as the key social, economic and environmental issues affecting more than 80 per cent of the world’s population. The text looks at the developing world from an internal perspective as well as from an international standpoint and gives a clear overview of the major theoretical and methodological interpretations of the social impact of development.

US Government and Politics
Author William Storey
Edition First
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Price £12.99
ISBN 9780748624294

This is part of a series of introductions to topics covered at junior undergraduate level, providing helpful website and further reading tips along the way. Looking at US politics at both state and national levels, comparisons are drawn with the British system of government to provide students with a basis for association. The text encourages independent thought, and allows readers to decide for themselves whether the original constitution is still being honoured in contemporary America.

Britain and the European Union
Author Alistair Jones
Edition First
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Price £9.99
ISBN 9780748624287

This is part of a series of introductions to topics covered at junior undergraduate level, providing helpful website and further reading tips along the way. It pays equal attention to each of the institutions within the European Union and their association to one another as well as how they affect British politics. The current EU relationships are also discussed within a historical context to allow readers to distinguish how these relationships were formed.

Devolution in the United Kingdom
Authors Russell Deacon and Alan Sandry
Edition First
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Price £9.99
ISBN 9780748624164

This is part of a series of introductions to topics covered at junior undergraduate level, providing helpful website and further reading tips along the way. Extensively examining the historical background of devolution in the UK with a focus on contemporary political events, this text provides an introduction to the major changes in the UK political landscape caused by the devolution of power to London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Pressure Groups
Authors Duncan Watts
Edition First
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Price £9.99
ISBN 9780748624393

This is part of a series of introductions to topics covered at junior undergraduate level, providing helpful website and further reading tips along the way. The text defines how to classify pressure groups and then goes in depth to examine their role in politics today, using recent research to provide students with an example of how pressure groups operate.

A Glossary of US Politics and Government
Author Alex Thomson
Edition First
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Price £9.99
ISBN 9780748622535

Aiming to appeal to a broad range of studies including sociology and journalism, this text provides an A-Z guide to the central concepts of US politics and government. The emphasis is on accessibility, providing students with a supplement to their core reading.

A Glossary of Political Theory
Author John Hoffman
Edition First
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Price £9.99
ISBN 978 0 7486 2260 3

This text is aimed at a broad range of studies including sociology and journalism and provides an A-Z guide to the central concepts of political theory. The theory is explained and related to political reality. Terms have been selected based on those most regularly used in teaching.

Religion, Culture & Politics in the Twentieth-Century US
Author Mark Hulsether
Edition First
Publisher Columbia University Press
Price £14.99
ISBN 9780748613021

University of Tennessee professor Mark Hulsether examines religion and its effect on politics within the US. His text aims to demonstrate the far-reaching effect religion has on politics as well as how religious individuals are finding an identity in today’s increasingly secular society.

Politics and the Media in Britain
Author Raymond Kuhn
Edition First
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £18.99
ISBN 9780333926901

Raymond Kuhn, professor of pPolitics at Queen Mary, University of London, examines the relationship between the press and the government in Britain, focusing on the impact media bias can have on election results. Other areas covered in the text include technical convergence, globalisation and the ever-divisive issue of Europe.

Strategy in the Contemporary World
Authors John Baylis, James Wirtz, Colin Gray and Eliot Cohen
Edition Second
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £24.99
ISBN 9780199289783

This second edition has been revised and updated to take into account the effects of 9/11 on military power in the contemporary world. It provides analysis on contemporary conflicts; including Afghanistan and Iraq and looks at the debates over lessons learnt from these wars. An emphasis is shown on the debate over whether a revolution in military affairs has occurred. The text is supported by an Online Resource Centre for lecturers and students.

European Union Politics
Author Michelle Cini
Edition Second
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £24.99
ISBN 9780199281954

Michelle Cini has brought together a team of international specialists in different fields of the European Union to produce a text aimed at students studying the at undergraduate and postgraduate level that ocuses on policies, issues and theories as well as the institutional set-up.

European Politics
Authors Colin Hay and Anand Menon
Edition First
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £22.99
ISBN 9780199284283

The two professors from Birmingham University blend analysis on individual nations with transnational factors that affect and are affected by politics in Europe. No prior knowledge is assumed. The book comes with a new online resource.

Introduction to Political Theory
Authors John Hoffman and Paul Graham
Edition First
Publisher Longman
Price £25.99
ISBN 9780582473737

This experienced team of authors presents an introduction to political theory that is suitable for junior undergraduates. Real-life political examples are used to illustrate theoretical political ideas, providing students with a stimulating basis for independent thought.

Contemporary Security Studies
Author Alan Collins
Edition First
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £25.99
ISBN 9780199284696

Alan Collins has collected key scholars in security studies to provide a guide to security issues facing the world’s population. The topics range from obvious security issues such as war and the threat to use force to subjects not necessarily thought of as security risks, such as pandemics and environmental degradation.

International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity
Authors Timothy Dunne, Milja Kurki and Steve Smith
Edition First
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £24.99
ISBN 9780199298334

This text takes the balloon debate approach to international relations theories. The authors have gathered a variety of experts and allowed them to explain the theoretical background to their position before outlining how and why they feel their theories matter. The usefulness and analysis of their views are then left up to the individual student to evaluate.

Global Political Economy: Evolution and Dynamics
Authors Robert O’Brien and Marc Williams
Edition Second
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £21.99
ISBN 9780230006690

The second edition of this text has been revised and new chapters on gender and ideas have been added. It introduces a wide range of theoretical approaches and demonstrates how useful each approach is in tackling key issues. Overall, the text provides a broad introduction to the global political economy.

Democracy
Author Albert Weale
Edition Second
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £60.00
ISBN 9780333948767

Essex University professor Albert Weale identifies and assesses the key forms of democracy in this text. The aim of this text is to introduce readers to the intricacies of contemporary debates concerning fundamental political issues.

Comparative Health Policy
Authors Robert Blank and Viola Burau
Edition Second
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £20.99
ISBN 9780230001404

This text provides an introduction to the common causes of policy problems in different countries as well as specific national circumstances and has been revised with case studies and topical material throughout.

Political Institutions in Italy
Authors Maurizio Cotta and Luca Verzichelli
Edition First
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £21.99
ISBN 9780199284702

This text focuses on Italian politics of the past ten to 15 years; however a longer historical perspective is also given. The authors address the themes, paradoxes and problems within Italian politics as well as looking at Italy from an international standpoint, with emphasis on Italy’s support for European integration.

Interest Representation in the European Union
Author Justin Greenwood
Edition Second
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £20.99
ISBN 9781403987044

Justin Greenwood, visiting professor at the College of Europe, provides an assessment of the role of organised interests in the everyday policy-making of the European Union. This edition has been revised to be brought up to date with recent political changes and focuses on the significance of interest representation for the integration of Europe.

Elections & Voters in Britain
Author David Denver
Edition Second
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price 18.99
ISBN 978-0230001596

This text, which has been revised to include material from the 2005 General Election, provides an exposition of debates and explanations on voting behaviour in Britain. It looks at the development of electoral politics in Britain over the postwar period, making use of British Election Study data along the way.

Developments in Central & East European Politics
Authors Stephen White, Judy Batt and Paul Lewis
Edition Fourth
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £21.99
ISBN 9780230517387

A team of leading international scholars focuses on the emergence of political systems post-Communism and discuss the key elements arising from this. This text consists of essays written by these scholars rather than being a textbook aimed at students. It assumes no prior knowledge and is suitable for junior undergraduates or those with a vested interest in the subject.

Exploring British Politics
Authors Mark Garnett and Philip Lynch
Edition First
Publisher Longman
Price £23.99
ISBN 978-0582894310

While this book is framed by a historical context, it is contemporary issues that are brought to the fore by the authors. Controversial issues are highlighted for students to debate and discuss, particularly those on the health of British democracy and the transition from government to governance. The text is suitable for both junior and senior undergraduates.

Political Institutions in the United States
Author Richard Katz
Edition First
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £21.99
ISBN 978-0199283835

Although this text has been written by a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University, it adopts an international rather than a US style, rendering it more suitable in a European context.

Regionalism & Globalization in East Asia: Politics, Security & Economic Development
Author Mark Beeson
Edition First
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £20.99
ISBN 9780230000339

This text examines the East Asian rise to prominence in a global setting over the past few decades. Mark Beeson also takes a look at the internal changes of many East Asian countries and how these changes have affected the local and global political landscape. Security issues in the region are also scrutinised.

Challenging Global Inequality: Development Theory & Practice in the 21st Century
Authors Alastair Greig, David Hulme and Mark Turner
Edition First
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £19.99
ISBN 9781403948243

The authors from the Australian National University, Canberra University and Manchester University start with a broad historical view of development studies before examining the challenges faced in the 21st century. There is a large focus on the challenge of overcoming global poverty and inequality and the authors demonstrate how development theory can achieve this.

Security in the New Europe
Author Andrew Cottee
Edition First
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £18.99
ISBN 9781403986498

Published in association with the One Europe or Several Economic and Social Research Council programme, this text examines how war between European states is being displaced by a new set of challenges. The text provides a framework for understanding the complex security issues in Europe today.

Security & Defence Policy in the European Union
Author Jolyon Howorth
Edition First
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £20.99
ISBN 9780333639122

Providing the most up-to-date research on the subject, this is an expert analysis on the historical, political and systemic reasons behind the rise of the European Security and Defence Policy. Attention is paid to making the information clear and accessible, and the text is suitable for students at undergraduate and graduate level.

Post-Foundational Political Thought: Political Difference in Nancy, Lefort, Badiou and Laclau
Author Oliver Marchart
Edition First
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Price £17.99
ISBN 9780748624980

While focusing on the four key figures mentioned in the title, Oliver Marchart presents an introduction to the topic of post-foundational political thought as a whole. The difference between “politics” and “the political” as a concept is a major theme in the text.

Woman, Power and Politics
Author Anne Stevens
Edition First
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £19.99
ISBN 9780230507814

This text draws on a wide range of countries to look at the liberal democratic world and the political role of women within it. Women’s representation and participation in governments and parliaments is examined and discussed. The aim of this book overall to assess whether gender makes a difference and if so, how this difference affects politics.

Nations, States and Violence
Author David Laitin
Edition First
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £14.99
ISBN 9780199228232

Stanford University professor David Laitin takes a stand against the view that national heterogeneity is a source of hatred and violence. Mixing theory with interpretations based on original field research, his text tackles issues of nationalism, economic growth and national violence.

Rethinking Globalization
Author Nick Bisley
Edition First
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £19.99
ISBN 9781403986955

This text is part of a series designed to reassess and re-examine political issues of the 20th century in a post-Cold War setting. Nick Bisley looks at globalisation’s impact on and significance for world politics as well as covering both sides of the globalisation debate.

Contemporary Britain
Author John McCormick
Edition Second
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £15.99
ISBN 9780230002142

This book is part of a series designed to give accessible introductions to key countries and regions of the world to junior undergraduates.

Politics UK
Authors Bill Jones, Dennis Kavanagh, Michael Moran and Philip Norton
Edition Sixth
Publisher Longman
Price £.99
ISBN 9781405824118

Politics UK has been a staple introductory text of teachers and lecturers since 1991. This sixth edition is illustrated with cartoons from political satirists, is now in colour and has been updated to take into account recent political changes.

Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches
Authors Robert Jackson and Georg Sorensen
Edition Third
Publisher Oxford University Press
Price £24.99
ISBN 9780199285433

This introduction to international relations is suitable for undergraduates and postgraduates. As well as outlining theories within the subject, the authors also discuss the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of each theory providing illustrations and case studies along the way,

Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction
Authors Rod Hague and Martin Harrup
Edition Fifth
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £19.99
ISBN 9780230600003

This undergraduate text provides an introduction to comparative government and politics and provides a glossary of terms. The authors have fully revised and updated the text to take into account the effects of 9/11 on different governments.

Wahhabi Islam
Author Natana Delong-Bas
Edition First
Publisher I.B. Tauris
Price £14.99
ISBN 978-1845113223

The former editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Islam aims to shatter the stereotypes associated with Wahhabism, which is frequently linked to Osama Bin Laden. In the first profile of the group’s leader Muhammad Ibn al-Wahhab, she aims to prove that rather than being the godfather of contemporary terrorism he was instead a voice for reform.

A Modern History of Hong Kong
Author Steve Yui-Sang Tsang
Edition First
Publisher I.B. Tauris
Price £16.99
ISBN 978-1845114190

This history examines the effect native Chinese inhabitants had in shaping the politics of the former British colony. While it is primarily a historical text, the cultural development of Hong Kong is portrayed within the context of its economic and political growth.

Political Ideologies: An Introduction
Author Andrew Heywood
Edition Fourth
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan
Price £19.99
ISBN 978-0230521803

The chief examiner for A-Level government and politics has updated this text to include new chapters on multiculturalism and the transition from “old” to “new” ideologies. The text starts with broader topics such as definitions of leftwing and rightwing politics before going more in-depth into the political spectrum.

Mastering British Politics
Authors F. Foreman and N. Baldwin
Edition Fifth
Publisher Palgrave
Price £18.99
ISBN 9780230000124
This text has been revised and updated to examine the effect of the 2005 election on British politics and offers further reading and website tips.

Playing Politics with Terrorism: A User’s Guide
Authors George Kassimeris
Edition First
Publisher C Hurst & Co.
Price £16.50
ISBN 9781850658634

This shows how the mass hysteria and paranoia of post-9/11 terrorist warnings is nothing new to the world of politics. The aim of the text is to demonstrate how in trying to protect the imperatives of security and the rights of liberty, governments often tend to repress them instead, creating an interesting paradox.

Koran, Kalashnikov and Laptop: The Neo-Taliban Insurgency in Afghanistan, 2002-7
Authors Antonioni Giustozzi
Edition First
Publisher C Hurst & Co.
Price £16.99
ISBN 9781850658733

Despite press reports claiming victory over the Taliban in 2004, recent developments have seen the repressive political group return in force in Afghanistan. Giustozzi uses this text to explain how the re-emergence was not a shock return, but instead a steady rise as early as 2003.

The European Union: Economics & Policies
Authors Ali M. El-Agraa
Edition Eighth
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Price £35.00
ISBN 97805216979

This latest edition has been revised and updated and includes all recent developments within the European Union including the Nice Treaty and the Convention for the Future of Europe.