Comparative Politics, which helps in the study of ever increasing political problems in a scientific and systematic way, has witnessed not only development on a scale never reached so far but has become more and more popular in these days. The study of comparative politics involves conscious comparisons in studying political experience, institutions, behaviour and processes of the systems of government in a comprehensive manner. It includes the study of even extra-constitutional agencies having their immediate connection, open or tacit, with formal governmental organs. It is, therefore, concerned with signincart regularities, similarities and differences in the working of political institutions and in the patterns of political behaviour. In simple words, we can say, Comparative Politics involves a comparative study of various polítical systems either as a whole or through a comparative analysis of their structures and functions. As a field study, comparative study is as old as politics, ever since man became conscious of its environment and felt interested in studying his environment and institutions. He also became interested in studying how other men were living in different society and which way of living was better than the others. As a part of this exercise, the students of politics naturally started studying and comparing the governments and political institutions of various societies. The book will not only cater well to the requirements of those engaged in the study of comparative politics for postgraduate degree in Indian universities but also be equally useful to those interested in acquiring a core knowledge of this fast expanding disciptine of political science.