Long established as the leading text in the field, the new edition has been comprehensively updated and rewritten. Accessible, student-friendly and truly international in its coverage, this edition includes more on authoritarian states as well as a much wider variety of country studies more generally.
John McCormick Books






Oxford World's Classics: The Prime Minister
- 858 pages
- 31 hours of reading
Despite a decreasing popularity throughout his career, Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) has become one of the most notable and respected English novelists of the Victorian Era. His penetrating novels on political, social and gender issues of his day have placed him among such nineteenth century literary icons as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and George Eliot. Trollope penned 47 novels in his career, in addition to various short stories, travel books and biographies. A newfound interest in politics led to the publication of "The Prime Minister" in 1876, one of a group of novels sometimes called Trollope's parliamentary novels. This novel tells of the successes, troubles, and eventual failure of what the author calls the completed picture of a statesman, who should have "rank, and intellect, and parliamentary habits, by which to bind him to the service of his country . . . he should also have unblemished, unextinguishable, inexhaustible love of country" (from Trollope's Autobiography).
Bullfighting : art, technique & Spanish society
- 282 pages
- 10 hours of reading
An informed analysis and critique of the origins and myths of bullfighting and a survey of the novels it has inspired.
In this first in-depth critical appraisal in English of the writings of Carl Schmitt, John McCormick has furnished philosophers, historians, and political theorists with the most comprehensive account of Schmitt's critique of liberalism available. He examines why technology becomes a rallying cry for both right- and left-wing intellectuals at times when liberalism appears anachronistic, and shows the continuities between Weimar's ideological debates and those of our own age.
Why Europe Matters
- 216 pages
- 8 hours of reading
Critics like to depict the European Union as undemocratic and unpopular, but their arguments are too often based on myths and misunderstandings. This does us all a disservice, and in this period of uncertainty about the future of Europe it is more important than ever that we have a firm grasp of the issues at stake. This powerful new book debunks the misconceptions surrounding the EU and makes a compelling and comprehensive case for the benefits of European integration. It shows how the EU has improved the lives of Europeans in countless ways, and how it has given Europe a powerful presence on the international stage. Guaranteed to illuminate as well as spark debate, this book will appeal to anyone who seeks to better understand what Europe means and why it matters.
European Union politics
- 480 pages
- 17 hours of reading
This 2nd edition of this best-selling introductory and student-friendly text provides an engaging introduction to all aspects of politics and policy in the European Union. Esteemed textbook author John McCormick introduces the unique nature of EU politics, whilst analysing the Union’s impact upon the meaning of Europe and the lives of Europeans. This second edition has been updated throughout - taking account of the 2014 European Parliament elections and changes to key roles in the EU - and has additional coverage of theoretical approaches used to study the EU that will encourage students towards a more sophisticated understanding of how and why the EU has become what it is today, of its strengths and weaknesses and of the on-going crisis in the Eurozone. McCormick has designed this textbook to be accessible to students of all backgrounds and abilities, to act as a companion throughout their studies. Breakdowns of key concepts and debates, numerous case studies, chapter summaries, photos, and more are all included to aid learning. This has all been complimented by a companion website, full of self-test Q & A's, updated material, and lecturer resources to aid teaching and learning, making this text a true essential for all those teaching and studying the EU.
The European Union Series: Understanding the European Union
A Concise Introduction, Fourth Edition
- 239 pages
- 9 hours of reading
An immediate success on first publication, Understanding the European Union provides a broad-ranging but concise introduction to the EU, covering all major aspects of European integration. This revised and updated new edition includes fuller coverage of policy and policy making and of theoretical approaches to the study of the EU.
This thoroughly revised and updated tenth edition of a classic text in comparative politics, co-authored by John McCormick, introduces students to key concepts, approaches, and arguments for comparing political systems globally. The text analyzes government institutions and political cultures that influence and are influenced by political developments, providing detailed examinations of democracies and authoritarian regimes. It features a broader range of international case studies, with expanded coverage of Latin America and Africa, reflecting the emergence of new global powers. Supporting features enhance the learning experience, including: individual country profiles that spotlight various political systems, chapter previews, overviews, key arguments, discussion questions, and further reading to consolidate knowledge. New focus boxes offer deeper insights into critical issues discussed in the text, while key concepts are defined concisely throughout. This renowned text serves as an essential and accessible introduction to the study of comparative politics for political science students worldwide.
The emergence of the European Union has become one of the defining events of the late twentieth century, changing the way Europeans relate to each other and the way the rest of the world relates to Europe. Already an economic superpower, the EU is now building the foundations of political union among its fifteen member states.This new text provides a valuable introduction to the institutions and policies of the EU. Clear and succinct, The European Union: Politics and Policies is the first text of its kind written specifically for U.S. students and the first to take account of the 1995 enlargement. Combining description and analysis, the author provides an accessible guide to a phenomenon that is complex and ever changing and that has growing significance for Europeans and Americans alike.
Machiavelli und der populistische Schmerzensschrei
Studien zur politischen Theorie
- 300 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Seit zwei Jahrzehnten tritt der Politwissenschaftler John McCormick für eine »demokratische Wende« in der Forschung zu Machiavelli ein, indem er die plebejischen, antioligarchischen und sogar »populistischen« Züge von dessen politischem Denken betont. Wie die bahnbrechenden Aufsätze in diesem Band zeigen, ist Machiavelli überraschend relevant für die Analyse der gegenwärtigen Krise der Demokratie, die durch Populismus und Plutokratie gekennzeichnet ist. Mit seiner Hilfe, so McCormick, lassen sich unsere demokratischen Verfassungen neu gestalten, so dass die Bürgerinnen und Bürger die Korruption von Oligarchen vereiteln und sich direkter sowie umfassender am politischen Geschehen beteiligen können.
Poznávame Európsku úniu
- 257 pages
- 9 hours of reading




