International Encyclopedia of Political Science ~ eBook
Politics has always been a key dimension of human life. Politics affects everyone, just as the weather does, and since the time of the Greek classics, humankind has attempted to come to grips with its empirical and normative implications. Politics and political science have changed over time and have been even more deeply transformed during the past decades in every part of an ever-smaller world. Empirical research and theoretical reflections on politics and its multiple connections with all other aspects of human life have developed enormously during the second half of the past century and now cover virtually all parts of the world, with their growing interdependence.
These studies concern, for example, basic issues such as war and peace, prosperity, welfare, and a sustainable environment, as well as issues of freedom, justice, gender, and democracy under changing cultural perspectives. At this point, one feels the need for an exhaustive overview of the empirical findings and the reflections on politics. The International Encyclopedia of Political Science caters to that need in many different kinds of readers, including undergraduate or graduate students who like to be informed effectively and quickly on their field of study; scholars who seek information on the relevant empirical findings in their area of specialization or in related fields; and lay readers, who may not have a formal background in political science but are attracted to, and interested in, politics. Thus, the encyclopedia can serve both the diffusion of knowledge about politics and the further development of the field.
The encyclopedia is the result of collaborative work by leading international scholars from all over the world. This team ensured the widest possible coverage of key areas, both regionally and globally. In this sense, this is the first truly international encyclopedia of its kind. It aims to give a comprehensive picture of all aspects of political life, recognizing the theoretical and cultural pluralism of the approaches and including findings from all parts of the world. The eight volumes of the encyclopedia cover every field of politics, from political theory and methodology to political sociology, comparative politics, public policies, and international relations.
The entries are arranged in alphabetical order, and a list of entries by subject area appears at the front of each volume. The entries are organized into three major categories, according to their substantive relevance, of roughly 1,800, 3,600, and 8,000 words. In addition, longer entries of 12,000 words cover the major subdisciplines and the state of the art in each field. The encyclopedia contains a detailed index as well as extensive bibliographical references. Thus, it can provide an essential and authoritative guide to the state of political science at the beginning of the 21st century for decades to come. It will be an invaluable resource for a global readership, including researchers, students, and policymakers.
The editors wish to acknowledge the invaluable assistance and advice of many colleagues and friends, including the members of the Executive Committee of the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and its presidents during this period, Max Kaase and Lourdes Sola.
Bertrand Badie wishes to thank Sciences Po, Paris, and particularly Delphine Placidi, who assisted him in the first steps of the work. Dirk Berg-Schlosser gladly acknowledges the assistance from Diana Mai and Joris-Johann Krapp at the Institute of Political Science, PhilippsUniversity, Marburg, Germany, in the initial phases of the project.
Leonardo Morlino would l Preface like to warmly thank Dr. Claudius Wagemann for his invaluable help in the starting phase of the encyclopedia. Bertrand Badie Professor of International Relations, Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) Paris, France Dirk Berg-Schlosser Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Marburg Marburg, Germany Leonardo Morlino Professor of Political Science, LUISS Rome, Ital