This critical examination and assessment of both orthodox and radical theories of comparative politics seeks to expose students to contrasting and challenging points of view. Professor Chilcote clarifies and synthesizes the major theoretical directions found in the literature of comparative politics and political science. His focus on system, culture, development and class reflects the themes around which the literature tends to cluster. An extensive annotated bibliography is provided at the end of each chapter. As a text for advanced undergraduate and graduate classes and as a reference and guide for teachers, this book will prove to be (in the words of one reviewer) the definitive work on the contemporary study of comparative politics. It may also be useful as a supplementary text in introductory courses.