This book provides an introduction to the application of the techniques of formal analytic methods and quantitative analysis to the study of political science.

The book has been written with several different levels of students in mind. It can be used for relatively simple undergraduate courses in politics that do not require high levels of mathematical competence. However, its framework is such that it can form the core text for more advanced courses on the use of formal methods in politics that might be taught at the graduate level in both politics and economics. To that end each chapter builds in sophistication.

Amongst the core topics covered in the book can be counted rent-seeking, voting, collective action, resdistribution and pressure groups.

The book cleverly covers the related but distinct disciplines of public choice and political economics and should appeal to students and researchers in both economics and political science.