I.   How do we compare political systems?

A.  Similarity and Contrast
B.  Definition of terms:
        1.  Politics
        2.  Nation-State
        3.  Political Institutions
        4.  Political Economy
        5.  Political Culture
        6.  Political Legitimacy

II.  Why Compare Nation-States?

A.  Fighting ethnocentrism
B.  Why focus on nations?
        1.  Collective personal identities
        2.  States still relevant
C.  How we do it
        1.  Middle-Level Theory
        2.  Eastern Europe's March to Democracy

III.  Our Four Basic Themes

A.  A World of States
        1.  Interaction within states
                a.  Comparative Politics vs. International Relations
        2.  State Formation
B.  Governing the Economy
        1.  Political Economy
C.  The Democratic Ideal
        1.  A few words on "democracies"
D.  The Politics of Collective Identity

IV.  Conclusion:  Fighting Myopia