Concepts and political terms are particularly important for students of politics and international relations.

Political conflict is often a struggle for the legitimate meaning of terms; opponents may disagree, clash, and even go to war, each claiming to be "defending freedom," "supporting democracy," or "upholding justice." The problem is that words like "freedom," "democracy," and "justice" have different meanings for different people, and therefore the concepts themselves seem problematic.

This book offers an accessible and comprehensive guide to important concepts encountered in political analysis. Each term is clearly and thoroughly defined, and its significance for political dialogue and political practice is explored. The text has been updated and expanded to take into account the growing influence of globalization on politics, and now presents 70 additional concepts.

With its lively, engaging style and user-friendly approach, the second edition is an invaluable aid in the study of politics and international relations.