Political organizations govern the way we live and have the power to make decisions on behalf of entire societies. But what political issues are important to our study of sociology and why? Do we really need to understand politics in order to fully understand society? And can individuals in society affect political change? This student-focused book gives readers a clear introduction to the key ideas, themes and debates in political sociology. Combining accessible explanations with critical analysis, the book explores the ideas of classical and contemporary sociologists. It maps out how they have been developed, reinterpreted and evaluated in response to changes in society. In particular, the text also: * defines, explores and assesses what is meant by 'power' * assesses the modern political landscape of UK society and the ideologies of different political parties * looks at voting patterns in the UK and asks what this tells us about society * explores issues of globalization and nationalization and how they have shaped modern-day societies As part of the Skills-Based Sociology series, Politics and Power is filled with a variety of tasks, activities and exam practice questions that encourage students to take an active role in their learning. Promoting critical thinking skills alongside development of knowledge, this book is the perfect starting-point for students learning about power and politics in society.