In this brief book, Greg Pyrcz successfully presents core approaches from rational choice to critical ecology. His writing is clear without oversimplifying the material or ignoring the nuances of theories. He is particularly adept at identifying the fundamental features, assumptions, and philosophical premises of each appraoch. The Study of Politics is a very useful text for second- or third-year courses in methods and approaches to political science and is also accessible enough to be assigned in an introductory course. -- G. Grant Amyot, Queen's University Greg Pyrcz's The Study of Politics is a lucid and intelligent overview of major contemporary approaches in political science. It deftly examines the presuppositions and conceptual apparatus of approaches, offers judicious assessments of their possibilities and weaknesses, and shows not only where they are incompatible but also where they might be complementary. A valuable guide for students of the discipline, Pyrcz's book also provides more seasoned researchers with insights into alternative methods that might enrich their own work. -- Douglas Moggach, University of Ottawa

The Study of Politics explores and addresses the implications of committing to specific principles and methodologies in political science research, while offering balanced assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of each method. Pyrcz also considers the assumptions regarding human agency inherent to each approach and attends more generally to the state of political science as a discipline.

Readers will gain a strong foundation in theoretical work and a greater appreciation for its practical value. The Study of Politics both challenges and enables students of politics and government to conduct research with a deeper awareness of the intellectual traditions underlying their work.