This book offers a comparative and thematic introduction to third world politics, placing it in historical, social and international context. The second edition has been expanded with new sections on East and South East Asia added to revised and updated coverage of Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The authors all have lengthy experience of living in and writing about different regions of the Third World. Reviewers' comments on the first edition:;'...a most useful introductory text.' Trevor Parfitt, Journal of International Development;'...the authors are to be complimented for writing a splendid introductory text for undergraduate students that avoids over-simplification, excessive case-study empiricism and unduly abstract comparative theory...it has much sound, good sense and balanced judgement to suit the different requirements of a wide range of readers and is heartily recommended.' Barry Munslow, Third World Quarterly