This new second edition is intended to aid students in their study and appreciation of political scientists' efforts to solve the analytical puzzles of political life. The book provides a section-by section overview of the main subfields of political science. First, a specialist introduces the basic concerns addressed by political scientists over the years on particular subfields. This discussion focuses on questions that have challenged scholars and on the likely future direction of research in the area. Each introduction includes references to keyhistorical and contemporary thinkers influential in defining practical and theoretical discourse. Second, each section also includes two articles or book excerpts that exemplify each area of study. The first is by a figure who, at a key stage, definitively shaped the agenda for research in the subfield. The second selection presents contemporary analytical issues and debates. By includingeither Canadian authors or some reference to Canadian subject matter, the editors have tried to ensure that these articles are directly relevant to the state of Canadian political science and the experiences of Canadian students. All contributors to this second edition have substantially revised their introduction by adding new conceptual materials as well as discussion questions, which appear at the end of each section of the book. Each section was updated in terms of recent events, both Canadian and International, whichhave had an impact on the subject matter.

Laurent Dobuzinskis, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University has two different research and teaching interests: the history of political and economic thought, political economy (rational choice), and the philosophy of the social sciences; and public policy analysis. Michael Howlett is Burnaby Mountain Chair in the Department of Political Science at Simon Fraser University, specializing in public policy analysis, political economy, and resource and environmental policy.

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David Laycock is a professor and chair in the Department of Political Science at Simon Fraser University.

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