Hailed by the American Library Association as an 'Outstanding Reference Source', this book elucidates the terms, concepts and ideas central to the study of politics, with in-depth articles written by many of the world's leading political scientists. Among the topics analysed are types of political organization (such as democracy, oligarchy, dictatorship) of political community (confederation, empire) and of political party (socialist, liberal, conservative). Leading political scientists of the past are also represented. Comprehensive reading lists are included for all main topics, and there is a full index. This new paperback edition of the Encyclopaedia maintains its purpose as being both a reliable work of scholarship for specialists in political science and related disciplines, and also an accessible guide for anyone with an interest in politics today.