Review
Politics was the first textbook I bought and read as an undergraduate and I have seen it benefit many more students since. Successive editions have provided a brilliant foundation for those eager to learn, engaging them with the joy of new understandings of complex political phenomena. ― Matthew Ryan, University of Southampton, UK
As with every edition that has preceded this latest, updated edition, Andrew Heywood manages to render complex concepts, ideas, institutions and debates accessible and engaging for students. This is a comprehensive and incredibly useful resource for both student and educator alike. ― Narelle Miragliotta, Monash University, Australia
This comprehensive and coherent textbook provides the best available introduction to the study of politics. Andrew Heywood organizes the material into meaningful categories, explores the major disciplinary debates with remarkable clarity, and carefully selects detailed examples that greatly enhance understanding. The book is highly accessible, and yet also sophisticated. Students are well advised to hang on to their copies for future reference. The fifth edition, meanwhile, seamlessly integrates such hot-button issues as populism, post-truth politics, and the growing prominence of autocracy, and manages overall to capture the dynamic character of politics in a transitional era. ― Bruce Morrison, Western University, Canada
There is hardly a better textbook to approach the study of politics. This is an easy-to-read yet systematic and engaging introduction to political science. This new edition has received a timely update and now covers topics such as populism, illiberal democracy and the crises of the EU. Heywood's book is a key reference text that students should always keep on their desk for consultation as they progress through their degree in politics. ― Edoardo Bressanelli, King’s College London, UK
A stellar textbook that covers the essential introductory topics for first-year students while at the same time delves into contentious contemporary issues. The fifth edition includes a new thought-provoking final chapter that addresses the wave of anti-establishment fervour circulating in Western liberal democracies. Students who study political science are looking for answers and guidance in understanding today's political disillusionment. Heywood's text provides both and goes the extra mile by also discussing solutions with the clearest and most up-to-date advice on "mending politics." ― Roberta Haar, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
Politics remains the text that still best hits the sweet spot between accessibility and academic sophistication. ― Stephen Thornton, Cardiff University, UK
Thoughtfully organized, attractively presented, and eminently approachable, Heywood raises the bar for introductory politics texts. Instructors seeking a comprehensive overview of key concepts, theories, scholars, events, and political actors will find everything they need and more in this thoroughly updated edition of Politics. ― Scott Fitzsimmons, University of Limerick, Ireland
Heywood's Politics is the by far the best introductory text to political science currently on the market. It does an excellent job of introducing vital concepts for the study of politics in an accessible, easy to grasp format. ― Johannes van Gorp, American University of Sharjah, UAE
This book is a marvel of erudition and compilation. It is accessible and user friendly. It remains the first stop for lecturers and students studying Politics. ― Cillian McGrattan, University of Ulster, Ireland
Heywood's Politics stands out as one of the most comprehensive and accessible textbooks in the market. Students will benefit especially from its illustrations of case studies and debates in politics. ― James Wong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Book Description
With examples drawn from around the world, this authoritative introduction to politics allows readers to understand the discipline's foundational concepts, thinkers, and theories and use these to make sense of political science's key areas, from elections and voting to security and global governance. Ideal for undergraduate degree courses, it offers a range of pedagogical features to enable readers to draw links between different standpoints and help make contemporary institutions, events and developments come to life.
About the Author
Andrew Heywood was Vice Principal of Croydon College, UK, having previously been Director of Studies at Orpington College, UK, and Head of Politics at Farnborough Sixth-Form College, UK.
