Recommendations for books about politics and political history?

[John Salerno]

Similar to my earlier question about history books, I was hoping some of you can give me some recommendations for good books that cover politics in general. I'd like to understand the history of the U.S. parties and how they've changed over the past two centuries to become what they are today. And as far as outside the U.S., I'd love to read something about how the political systems have or haven't worked in other countries, such as why things are different and apparently successful in Europe, but many countries in Africa are failed states, etc.

 

It's sort of a broad scope, but maybe there are some books out there that covers such a general topic.

 

Thanks.

Edited October 7, 2010 by John Salerno

[iNow]

You should consider picking up something from Jane Goodall.

[Mr Skeptic]

It probably would be interesting to read some really old history books (should have copyright expired for example), so you get an idea of what history was like before any new revisions were made.

[jackson33]

John, your probably thinking "Political Science" or a "History of Economic Systems" which are related to the different success/failures of Governing Systems.

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_system#List_of_economic_systems

 

As for the US; While arguably a mixed version of Capitalism/Corporate Capitalism, then Free Market, as any economy it's a substitution of principles from a "barter system" (trading on product for another to trading one product for something that can achieve another) which is where all economies came from, IMO.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_capitalism

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism

 

From here and into modern times in the US and understanding the many influences of other systems, it basically falls under two driving systems involving the degree of Central Governing Authority.

 

"Friedman vs Keynesian economics", to start your research...In short, Friedman believing in less Government intervention, Keynesian in more but not total and both systems have many books on the subject...

 

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&&sa=X&ei=V_KtTMzLN8bT4wbQ38SqBg&ved=0CBYQvwUoAQ&q=Friedman+vs+Keynesian+economics&spell=1&fp=6248f386b3c06fd8

 

Opinion; As for Africa or for that matter Canada, the US, Australia and any current Nation linked to the British Empire, I believe the success or failure of individual Nations, can be linked to the acceptance of or rejection of their political/economical systems. The US rejected only a small portion in their formation. I have to throw in Religious Ideology/influence, for Africa.

 

 

During the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal and Spain pioneered European exploration of the globe, and in the process established large overseas empires. Envious of the great wealth these empires bestowed, England, France and the Netherlands began to establish colonies and trade networks of their own in the Americas and Asia.[3] A series of wars in the 17th and 18th centuries with the Netherlands and France left England (Britain, following the 1707 Act of Union with Scotland) the dominant colonial power in North America and India. However the loss of the Thirteen Colonies in North America in 1783 after a war of independence was a blow to Britain, depriving it of some of its most populous colonies. Despite this setback, British attention soon turned towards Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Following the defeat of Napoleonic France in 1815, Britain enjoyed a century of almost unchallenged dominance, and expanded its imperial holdings across the globe. Increasing degrees of autonomy were granted to its white settler colonies, some of which were reclassified as dominions.[/Quote]

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire