Encyclopedia Of Government And Politics

This encyclopedia is the product of over three years of negotiation, planning,
persuasion and, in a few cases, coercion. We are grateful to all of our colleague
contributors who have worked so well to produce an outstandingly interesting
and distinguished account of the main themes and subjects which constitute the
study of politics and government.
We both owe debts to our home institutions. The Dean of the College of Arts
and Sciences, the Dean of the Graduate School, and the President’s Research
Initiative of the University of Louisville provided Mary Hawkesworth with
both moral and material support, and also agreed to her absence on sabbatical
leave at Brunel University at a critical time in the editing of the encyclopedia.
The Department of Government at Brunel University provided a supportive
and convenient base from which the two editors were able to collaborate during
this time.
We owe particular thanks to our commissioning editor, Jonathan Price, who
pressed us forward with scholarly and gentle encouragement. Our spouses, Ulla
Kogan and Philip Alperson, are used to both of our working ways but deserve
our gratitude all the same. The organizing skills of Sally Harris, who has seen so
many books to the press from the Department of Government at Brunel
University, remain a source of wonder to all who see her at work.