‘This book is the fruit of a lifetime’s reflection on politics. Birch has unfailingly sensible things to say about the main theoretical issues that the discipline has thrown up in recent decades. The book will form an admirably clear and comprehensive introduction to the study of politics.’ (Professor Brian Barry, London School of Economics and Political Science)

‘This is an impressive book . . . it is balanced in judgements, is rooted in careful examination of evidence and texts, and yet never loses sight of the largest issues.’ (Professor Michael Moran, University of Manchester)

‘Professor Birch has written a manual for aspiring democrats. He brings us down from the realms of rhetoric and cliché to the deeper and more difficult conceptual questions and conundrums that any democrat must face.’(Professor Terence Ball, University of Minnesota

The Author

Anthony H. Birch is Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Victoria, Canada.