In the sciences theory is tested through direct experimentation, but in politics social scientists cannot simply manipulate an institution or law to see what might happen. Comparisons of different political contexts are thus central to political theory: analyzing what happens when different countries modify constitutions or party systems provides useful information about the probable consequences of such changes among diverse political orders. The world of politics is full of complex factors which influence the way people vote, how policies are made, or how interest groups lobby. Providing a wide-ranging theoretical and methodological introduction to the field of comparative politics, this text surveys some of the best work in the field, examining the issues involved in an attempt to compare political systems and discussing how the methods and results of comparative politics can be improved. A wide array of case studies is used to illustrate how comparative analysts devise effective methods to construct meaningful theories about political systems.