Examines both Parliamentary and Presidential Democratic Systems, European Communist traditions and transitions, as well as Third World political challenges. This thorough text requires some historical background knowledge to be completely understood and a willingness to slug through some tedious sections. Nonetheless it provides the student with a structure to analyze the differing systems and their underlying principles. Other than Japan, no mention is made of Asian Political Systems. India, China, Tawain would all be excellent areas to include but are lacking. It is difficult reading for lower than an A.P. level high school student and seems more appropriate for the the undergraduate poly-sci. student.