Power in Contemporary Politics offers a current state-of-the-art overview of the theory and practice of the most central concept in political science, power." "The book includes a general introduction that provides a trenchant, comprehensive analysis of the major themes and controversies about power in the social sciences literature. The authors develop the major analytical themes within a three-part framework: contemporary theories of power; modern practices at the local, national and international levels; and alternative interpretations of globalization that treat the paradoxes of the convergence and fragmentation of power arrangements in a globalizing world.