Twelve in-depth country studies explore how the concepts of interests, identities and institutions shape the politics of nations and regions.

1. What is comparative politics? Jeffrey Kopstein, Mark Lichbach and Stephen Hanson; 2. The framework of analysis Stephen Hanson, Jeffrey Kopstein and Mark Lichbach; Part I. Early Developers: 3. Britain Peter Rutland; 4. France Laurence McFalls; Stop and compare: early developers: Britain and France; Part II. Middle Developers: 5. Germany Andrew C. Gould; 6. Japan Miranda A. Schreurs; Stop and compare: early developers and middle developers; Part III. Late Developers: 7. Russia Stephen Hanson; 8. China Yu-Shan Wu; Stop and compare: early developers, middle developers, and late developers; Part IV. Experimental Developers: 9. Mexico Anthony Gill; 10. India Rudra Sil; 11. Iran Vali Nasr; 12. South Africa Antoinette Handley; 13. The European Union Paulette Kurzer; 14. Nigeria Okechukwu C. Iheduru; Stop and compare: early developers, middle developers, late developers, and experimental developers; Index.