Politics in States and Communities is distinguished by its focus on politics, its comparative approach, its concern with thorough explanation, its interest in policy, and its focus on conflicts in states and communities. Several themes are carried on throughout the book that emphasize the importance of politics at the state and community level including the “conflict management” theme which emphasizes the sources and nature of conflict in society, how key decision makers act in conflict situations, and how “politicos” emerge and determine “who gets what.”