Abstract
<p> The sixth, revised and expanded edition of this <italic>introduction to political science</italic> covers the most important concepts, methods and research findings of this academic discipline. The first part deals with the research process, from theory development to empirical analysis. The second part focuses on key areas of research, such as those focusing on democracy, elections, political parties, interest groups, parliaments and government, and international politics. The book is written and presented in a way that makes its contents easily accessible, even to readers with little or no prior knowledge of political science. In order to make the concepts, theories and empirical findings easier to grasp, the book pays particular attention to the three German-speaking countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) and the European Union. </p>