Providing a foundation for a comparative understanding political life, POLITICS IN A CHANGING WORLD, Fifth Edition, includes in-depth chapters on political science concepts (ideology, political culture, interest groups, governmental institutions, parties), followed by a series of brief country studies to help readers acquire a better understanding of the actors and institutions that play a part in diverse political systems, how and why they act in relation to one another, and what their actions mean for the political system and its citizens. This fifth edition is thoroughly updated throughout, including coverage of the Obama/McCain campaign; the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Darfur; the transition from Russian President Putin to Medvedev; the transition from Prime Minister Tony Blair to Gordon Brown; the new Calderon administration in Mexico; and much more.