This book originated during many hours of pleasant conversation about teaching comparative politics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Out of these conversations emerged the idea of an introductory textbook that would convey to students the main currents in contemporary comparative politics. These currents are summed up here under three rubrics: interests, identities, and institutions. We decided to illustrate this framework through a series of country studies cast in world-historical perspective. At the same time, we wanted to avoid weighing down the country studies with a heavy-handed or outdated theoretical apparatus that inevitably discourages even the hardiest of students. The result, we hope, has struck an acceptable balance between conceptual rigor and flexibility.

To the extent that we have accomplished this, most of the credit is due to our contributors, who have cheerfully taken on our framework without losing what is interesting and distinctive about their country's experience. In response to student and instructor demand, we have added new chapters in this third edition on the European Union and Nigeria. We remain grateful to the staff of Cambridge University Press and especially Ed Parsons for his professionalism, enthusiasm, and common sense.

As in the first and second editions, editing this book has been a collaborative act. It represents the tangible result of a long friendship. Although both of us have moved on to different universities, this book has allowed us to continue the conversation that started over coffee and ice cream seventeen years ago.