Cover: Comparative Government: Stories of the World for the AP® Course, 2nd Edition by Karen Waples; Stephen Orvis; Carol Ann Drogus

Comparative Government: Stories of the World for the AP® Course

Second  Edition©2027  Karen Waples; Stephen Orvis; Carol Ann Drogus

About

Comparative Government: Stories of the World for the AP® Course, 2nd Edition brings comparative government to life through engaging stories about the people, events, and institutions that shape political systems around the world. Designed specifically for the AP® Comparative Government and Politics course, the book closely follows the scope and sequence of the AP® Course and Exam Description with focused coverage of the six required course countries.

AP® Political Science Skills, Comparing Countries, AP® Tips, and targeted exam practice help you understand course concepts, make connections across countries, and build the skills needed on the AP® exam. Multiple-choice and free-response questions throughout the book provide frequent opportunities for practice, while Unit Reviews and a full-length Practice Exam help prepare for exam day.

Achieve courseware provides additional support with LearningCurve adaptive quizzing and AP®-style practice to help you check your understanding, reinforce key concepts, and focus your study where you need it most.

Table of Contents

UNIT 1 Introduction to Comparative Government: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments

Chapter 1 Introduction to Comparative Politics

Chapter 2 Political Systems

Chapter 3 Course Country: Mexico

UNIT 2 Political Institutions

Chapter 4 Political Institutions

Chapter 5 Case Study: United Kingdom

UNIT 3 Political Culture and Participation

Chapter 6 Political Culture and Participation

Chapter 7 Case Study: Russia

UNIT 4 Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations

Chapter 8 Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations

Chapter 9 Course Country: Nigeria

UNIT 5 Political and Economic Changes and Development

Chapter 10 Globalization

Chapter 11 Course Country: China

Chapter 12 Economic and Social Policies

Chapter 13 Course Country: Iran


Exam Prep Tips for Success! How to Excel on the AP®Comparative Government and Politics Exam

Practice Exam AP® Comparative Government and Politics

Course Countries at a Glance Appendix

Karen Waples

Karen Waples has taught for over 35 years and currently teaches AP ® Comparative Government and Politics, AP ® U.S. Government and Politics, and Law at Holy Family High School in Broomfield, Colorado. Karen has served as a reader, table leader, question leader, and exam leader for the AP ® Comparative Government and Politics Exam and as a reader for the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics and AP ® U.S. History Exams. She has led workshops and institutes throughout the country for both the AP ® Comparative Government and Politics and the AP ® U.S. Government and Politics courses. Karen was the chair of the College Board ® Social Science Academic Advisory Committee and was a member of the Curriculum Re-design Committee for AP ® U.S. Government and Politics. She received the Colorado Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education in 1997 and was recognized as a Cherry Creek High School Teacher of the Year in 2002. Prior to teaching, Karen practiced law.

Stephen Orvis

Stephen Orvis is Professor of Government at Hamilton College. He is a specialist on sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya in particular), identity politics, democratic transitions, and the political economy of development. He has been teaching introduction to comparative politics for more than twenty-five years, as well as courses on African politics, nationalism and the politics of identity, political economy of development, and weak states. He has written a book and articles on agricultural development in Kenya, as well as several articles on civil society in Africa and Kenya, and is currently doing research on political institutions in Africa.

Carol Ann Drogus

Carol Ann Drogus is a retired Professor of Government at Hamilton College. She is a specialist on Brazil, religion, and women’s political participation. She taught introduction to comparative politics for more than twenty years, as well as courses on Latin American politics, gender and politics, and women in Latin America. She has written two books and numerous articles on the political participation of women in religious movements in Brazil.