This book offers novel insights into the way in which people talk about politics across various countries. Drawing on focus groups research in nine countries, including 'mature' democracies, post-communist 'new' democracies and post-authoritarian 'new' democracies, it offers comparative reflection on how talk about political activity is shaped by peoples' perceptions of specific opportunities to participate, the issues that concern them and the broader political environment. It thus examines citizens' views of major issues and political grievances in their own words and helps to shed new light on reasons for engagement in political acts, whether through electoral or protest channels, or political disengagement.