What are the markers of authoritarian and democratic states - and all those that fall somewhere in-between? How do principles, institutions and political processes differ from state to state? And what can we learn from political comparison on a global scale? Comparative Government and Politics offers a compelling and accessible introduction to the subject. This book will help you to understand the wide range of institutions and political cultures across the world, including: the common essential elements and levers of a state, how democratic and authoritarian regimes operate internally and on the global stage, and the relationship between a population and a polity. An essential text for courses on Comparative Politics, Comparative Government, Introduction to Politics and Introduction to Political Science. This Thirteenth Edition includes: - An increased focus on themes of democratic reversal and declining trust - Coverage of contemporary topics with new and extended coverage of LGBTQ+ issues, identity politics and populism - New and updated country spotlights, reflecting the changing state of democracy across the world - An accessible design for students of all levels, with maps, diagrams and tables, discussion questions and further reading suggestions - A companion website with features to support continued learning: bloomsbury.pub/comparative-government-and-politics-13e