1. General Framework and Concepts 2. The Importance and Scope of Comparative Government 3. The Political System: Characteristics and Components 4. The Norms of Political Systems 5. Political Development 6. Legitimacy, Integration and Coercion 7. Society and Government 8. The Social Bases of Political Systems 9. Groups and Political Systems 10. Political Communication and the Role of the Media 11. Political Parties 12. The Origins, Nature and Structure of Political Parties 13. Party Systems 14. Parties, Elections and Direct Democracy 15. The Role of Parties in the Contemporary World 16. Governmental Structures 17. Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Rule 18. Centralisation and Decentralisation 19. Representation and Legislatures 20. National Executives 21. Political Leadership 22. Implementation and Control 23. Bureaucracies 24. The Role of the Military in the Political Process 25. The Judiciary 26. The Policy Process 27. Government and the People Conclusion