Selected Internet Resources in Political Science

Comparative Government and Politics

We have taken the definition of comparative government and politics from the second edition of A Dictionary of Modern Politics by David Robertson.  "The essence of comparative government as a study is to compare the ways in which different societies cope with various problems, the role of the political structures involved being of particular interest."*  Links to regions such as Latin American Studies or Middle Eastern Studies can be found elsewhere (see Area Studies), as can links that refer specifically to the relationships between various countries (see International Relations).

• Country studies - The Library of Congress' online version of books previously published in hard copy by the Federal Research Division under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Army.
• Electoral Calendar - From Electoral WebSites includes upcoming, previous elections, and country specific information
• Comparative Study of Electoral Systems - Results of an ongoing cross-national research program involving election studies in over 50 consolidated and emerging democracies
• World Factbook - Annual publication of the CIA with basic information on the countries of the world
• CIA Publications - In addition to the above, various publications such as roster of heads of state and cabinet members provided by the Central Intelligence Agency
• International Data Base -U.S. Census Bureau source of statistical tables for 227 countries and areas of the world
• International Statistics Agencies - Supported by the United Nations/Economic Commission for Europe, Statistical Division this site provides online access to a large number of other statistical resources

* A Dictionary of Modern Politics, Second Edition. Edited by David Robertson. London: Europa Publications Limited, 1993.