Introduction to Politics
6th Edition
Published on 19. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
744 pages
978-0-19-891996-4 (ISBN)
Description
The only introductory textbook to combine theory, comparative politics, and international relations to provide the most comprehensive and global introduction to politics available.
Authored by a trio of subject experts, this market-leading introduction to politics brings together political theory, comparative politics, and international relations to offer a unique and complete overview of the subject.
Key features
- Combines concepts and ideologies, comparative politics, and international relations into one volume, to provide a fully comprehensive introduction for undergraduates.
- Includes a wide range of contemporary and historical case studies from across the globe, helping to contextualise the material for students.
- The book moves beyond a descriptive narrative, taking an analytical approach that ensures students are challenged to form their own ideas and develop their own perspectives.
- Also available as an e-book enhanced with self-assessment activities and multi-media content to offer a fully immersive experience and extra learning support.
New to this edition
- A brand new chapter on politics in the Anthropocene, covers the climate emergency, the emergence of green theories, and climate justice.
- Extensive updates reflect recent political developments including President Trump's second term and its emerging impact on global order, the trajectory of China as a world power, and the war in Gaza.
- With a focus on real-world issues and an extensive range of thought-provoking case studies, Issues in Political Theory provides the clearest, most engaging introduction to political theory and how it is applied to address the most important issues confronting the world today.
- New case studies include coverage of the suffragette movement, the UN Security Council's role in the war in Ukraine, the global indigenous rights movement, and Libya as a failed state.
- Updated interactive resources, available via the enhanced e-book and Politics Trove, include new self-test questions to consolidate learning and build confidence, and political scenarios which encourage students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts.
Digital formats and resources
The sixth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats:
The e-book and Politics Trove offer a mobile experience and convenient access, along with multiple-choice questions, political scenarios, video content, chapter flashcard glossaries, functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support.
For more information about e-books, please visit: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks
Authored by a trio of subject experts, this market-leading introduction to politics brings together political theory, comparative politics, and international relations to offer a unique and complete overview of the subject.
Key features
- Combines concepts and ideologies, comparative politics, and international relations into one volume, to provide a fully comprehensive introduction for undergraduates.
- Includes a wide range of contemporary and historical case studies from across the globe, helping to contextualise the material for students.
- The book moves beyond a descriptive narrative, taking an analytical approach that ensures students are challenged to form their own ideas and develop their own perspectives.
- Also available as an e-book enhanced with self-assessment activities and multi-media content to offer a fully immersive experience and extra learning support.
New to this edition
- A brand new chapter on politics in the Anthropocene, covers the climate emergency, the emergence of green theories, and climate justice.
- Extensive updates reflect recent political developments including President Trump's second term and its emerging impact on global order, the trajectory of China as a world power, and the war in Gaza.
- With a focus on real-world issues and an extensive range of thought-provoking case studies, Issues in Political Theory provides the clearest, most engaging introduction to political theory and how it is applied to address the most important issues confronting the world today.
- New case studies include coverage of the suffragette movement, the UN Security Council's role in the war in Ukraine, the global indigenous rights movement, and Libya as a failed state.
- Updated interactive resources, available via the enhanced e-book and Politics Trove, include new self-test questions to consolidate learning and build confidence, and political scenarios which encourage students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts.
Digital formats and resources
The sixth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats:
The e-book and Politics Trove offer a mobile experience and convenient access, along with multiple-choice questions, political scenarios, video content, chapter flashcard glossaries, functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support.
For more information about e-books, please visit: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks
Reviews / Votes
Excellent introduction to politics that is pitched at the appropriate level for a first year undergraduate politics and international relations course. It captures the essence of basic concepts in political science and introduces them to students in an accessible way with appropriate use of contemporary empirical material to aid understanding and be illustrative of key concepts and theories. * Dr. Neil McGarvey, University of Strathclyde * An excellent, comprehensive textbook that provides a very balanced approach to political theory, comparative politics, and global politics. There is a particularly commendable focus on engaging with contemporary political developments and a very strong emphasis on non-western approaches to political questions, ideas, and institutions. * Dr. Liam Kneafsey, Trinity College Dublin * This remains to my mind the best political studies textbook on the market. It provides a broad introduction to the 'basics', while expanding its focus out to bring in contemporary concerns and examples. It is clearly written without oversimplification, and it doesn't talk down to students. * Dr. David Moon, University of Bath *More details
Edition
6th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
4
Dimensions
Height: 192 mm
Width: 246 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
1404 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-891996-4 (9780198919964)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Robert Garner is Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom.
Peter Ferdinand is an Emeritus Professor in Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.
Stephanie Lawson is an Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Studies at Macquarie University, Honorary Professor of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University, and Senior Research Associate, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg.
Peter Ferdinand is an Emeritus Professor in Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.
Stephanie Lawson is an Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Studies at Macquarie University, Honorary Professor of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University, and Senior Research Associate, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg.
Author
Emeritus Professor of PoliticsEmeritus Professor of Politics, University of Leicester
Emeritus Professor of Politics and International RelationsEmeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Warwick
Emeritus Professor of Politics and International RelationsEmeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University
Content
1: Introduction: the nature of politics and political analysis 1 Concepts and Ideologies 2: Politics and the state 3: Political power, authority, and the state 4: Democracy and political obligation 5: Freedom and justice 6: Traditional ideologies 7: Challenges to the dominant ideologies 2 Comparative Politics 8: Institutions and states 9: Political culture and non-western political ideas 10: Laws, constitutions, and federalism 11: Votes, elections, legislatures, and legislators 12: Political parties 13: Executives, bureaucracies, policy studies, and governance 14: Civil society, interest groups, and the media 15: Democracies, democratization, and authoritarian regimes 3 Global Politics 16: Introducing global politics 17: Traditional theories in global politics 18: Critical approaches to global politics 19: Security and insecurity 20: Diplomacy and foreign policy 21: International organizations in global politics 22: Global political economy 23: Politics in the Anthropocene 24: Conclusion: towards a deglobalizing and post-western world?