Jorgen S. Rasmussen - The Process of Politics: A Comparative Approach

First published 2007 by Transaction Publishers

Published 2017 by Routledge
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Copyright 2007 by Taylor & Francis.

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ISBN 13: 978-0-202-30943-9 (pbk)

IN writing this book I have tried to produce a text suitable for introductory courses in comparative politics regardless of whether the instructor uses the vertical, country-by-country approach or the horizontal, functional approach. Students in courses that focus on several foreign governments could use this text as an introduction to the study of comparative politics, and then consider whatever countries the instructor prefers. A study of each countrys political system could include an investigation of the extent to which the general findings presented here hold true in any particular political system. This procedure would help students identify the special circumstances in a given country which produce a measure of uniqueness in its political system. Knowledge of both a countrys political uniqueness and its ordinariness should enhance students understanding of that countrys political process and structure. Proceeding this way also can help to make the country-by-country approach more comparative and analytical, rather than simply a study of foreign governments.

The instructor who prefers the functional approach could make this book the core around which to organize the course. He could assign supplementary readings on topics or functions he wishes to pursue in greater detail. Because this text provides both an introduction to the field and the framework for further study, it would help to clarify for students the interrelation of the various functions presented in the additional reading assignments.

Another possible use of this text is as a part of the first course in political science. In this case, the book would help students gain a knowledge of basic concerns and procedures of the discipline of political science within the field of comparative politics. The discussion in this book of the most significant findings about various key political functions would also introduce students to some of the basic facts of the discipline.

An introductory book should not be bogged down with detailed footnotes. On the other hand, those whose work has advanced our knowledge should be credited, and students should be introduced to those thinkers and their writings as well as to their ideas. I have tried to satisfy both aims through summary footnotes which indicate for each chapter the research on which it is based.

Because I did not wish to write a volume the size of a dictionary, and because I wanted this work to be a truly comparative synthesis, I originally intended to use as sources only those studies which focused on more than one country or were clearly replicative. Although I adhered to this plan as much as possible, the paucity of studies which could qualify as sources proved much greater than anticipated. Thus, I have been forced at times to rely on single-country studies. The deplorable lack of empirical, comparative studies was a constant frustration and the major obstacle to completing this introductory summary.

Because authors appreciative comments are of no interest to the reader, I will confine my thanks to Charles McCall, who took time from a busy schedule to read virtually all the manuscript for this book and to comment on it. I am very grateful for his assistance.