This text demonstrates that there is a "politics model" that unifies the discipline and structures its relationship to the other social sciences. It shows how this model underlies important works of applied research in all the main political science subfields.

Preface -- 1 Introduction to the Politics Model -- 2 Concrete Theory in Political Science -- 3 The Politics Model in Political Research -- 4 Distinguishing and Constructing Politics Models -- 5 Grand Theory and a Concrete Model -- 6 The Politics Model and a New Philosophy of Science -- Index.

Ruth Lane teaches political research methods and comparative politics in the Department of Government, School of Public Affairs, American University. Her research interests include cognitive science, research-oriented theory, and computer modeling.