This fully revised and updated introduction to political sociology incorporates the burgeoning literature on globalization and shows how contemporary politics is linked to cultural issues, social structure and democratizing social action. * New material on global governance, human rights, global social movements, global media* New discussion of democracy and democratization* Clearly lays out what is at stake in deciding between alternatives of cosmopolitanism, imperialism and nationalism* Includes additional discussion of the importance of studying culture to political sociology