Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges (with InfoTrac and CD-ROM) 
asked by runningscared on November 16, 2006 12:47 PM
Balancing theory and application, this comprehensive text uses a unique theme to engage students in thinking and discussing comparative politics--the theme of domestic responses to global challenges. COMPARATIVE POLITICS introduces the key concepts and examines the growing interdependence among strong and weak states through the discussion of 12 countries, including the U.S. and the European community. The countries discussed are categorized by economic development, helping students develop their skills of comparison, synthesis and interpretation amongst countries of similar economic status. Students will gain an understanding of some of the most important general trends, an exposure to politics in a number of countries, and a desire to dig more deeply into this fascinating and exciting field of comparative politics.
Reviews
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As an AP Comparative Politics teacher, I have taught out of both the 4th and 5th editions of this book and have found it a good choice for a student text. I find it much more readable (particularly for high school seniors) than some of the more comprehensive texts. If you want to prepare your students adequately, however, you will need to supplement with outside material. For example, the Hauss text does not touch directly on political socialization which is a topic covered on the exam. I use Gabriel Almond's "Comparative Politics Today" as teacher resource.
Hauss delves heavily into the historical background of many of the countries, in particular those in the "Third World" section. This can be helpful for students who have a weak world history background, but as a teacher you will need to emphasize AP exam vs. background material.
Comments on the 5th edition vs. earlier editions: To follow the requirements of the new AP Comparative Gov't exam, this edition adds chapters on Nigeria and Iran. These chapters seem hastily done however as the Nigeria chapter in particular has several typos and the Iran chapter is comparatively short.
Chapters on Japan and South Africa are no longer in the printed text but there are on-line chapters on these countries, as well as an on-line chapter on Canada, on the author's website.
The 5th edition adds COLOR pictures which is a nice change from the 4th edition and makes the text somewhat more engaging for high school seniors, however compared to other high school texts visual appeal is not high on the publisher's priority list.
In summary, a good choice for AP Comparative politics as long as the teacher recognizes the need to supplement from outside sources where necessary.
Hauss delves heavily into the historical background of many of the countries, in particular those in the "Third World" section. This can be helpful for students who have a weak world history background, but as a teacher you will need to emphasize AP exam vs. background material.
Comments on the 5th edition vs. earlier editions: To follow the requirements of the new AP Comparative Gov't exam, this edition adds chapters on Nigeria and Iran. These chapters seem hastily done however as the Nigeria chapter in particular has several typos and the Iran chapter is comparatively short.
Chapters on Japan and South Africa are no longer in the printed text but there are on-line chapters on these countries, as well as an on-line chapter on Canada, on the author's website.
The 5th edition adds COLOR pictures which is a nice change from the 4th edition and makes the text somewhat more engaging for high school seniors, however compared to other high school texts visual appeal is not high on the publisher's priority list.
In summary, a good choice for AP Comparative politics as long as the teacher recognizes the need to supplement from outside sources where necessary.
reviewed by wellness on November 18, 2006 7:51 AM
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We're using this book for our AP Comparative Government course, and I really have mixed feelings about it. While the information and style of writing is much more interesting than previous AP social studies books that I've had, the book is a bit dense in its black-and-white format with lots and LOTS of text. The other component that this book is also lacking is a BRIEF run-through or diagram of the countries' political systems. If you want to fashion your own condensed version of these systems, you must wade through quite a bit of text that is not particularly well organized.
reviewed by jdog on November 21, 2006 9:58 PM
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Wonderful service, arrived in a timely fashion and book was in great condition. Thanks again, cheaper than my campus book store!
reviewed by drvale on November 29, 2006 5:53 AM