How Politics Works

Discover everything you need to know about political history and thought, and the inner workings of governments all around the globe!

Combining clear, jargon-free language and bold, eye-catching graphics, How Politics Works is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide to all aspects of politics. Covering everything from political theory to methods of government, the book presents the ideas and theories of key political philosophers, leaders, movements, and activists in a uniquely visual and easy-to-understand way. 

Explaining political ideas on a conceptual level, entries explore how they apply to governments, movements, and trends throughout history, along with 21st-century examples such as the #MeToo movement and #BlackLivesMatter. The book also shows how political history is affected by
economics, sociology, and the role of the media – an ever-relevant issue in the age of "fake news" and "cancel culture", and the current distrust of the economic forces behind certain areas of the media. With a unique graphic approach to the topic, How Politics Works is the perfect introduction to the subject, and an ideal companion title to DK’s The Politics Book in the ‘Big Ideas’ series.

With power to every page, this politics book explores: 

- Simple, easy-to-understand graphics explain key ideas clearly and effectively
- Offers a practical, no-nonsense approach to each subject
- Fully comprehensive, covering all the key aspects of political philosophy, theory, and history
- Explains different systems of government and how they function
- Theory-led but will cover modern political phenomena such as "fake news" and recent political groups and movements such as #BlackLivesMatter

A must-have volume for readers seeking a simple and accessible guide to both politics and international relations, as well as students of politics or history, The Politics Book covers a wide range of topics, from populism to propaganda, moral leadership to manipulating elections and so much more. In today’s climate, politics is engaging more people than ever before due to access to information via social media, with young influencers such as Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai having incremental followings on platforms such a Instagram and Twitter. 


At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.

So why stop there?

How Politics Works is part of DK’s widely successful How Stuff Works series. Discover the inner workings of the mind with How the Brain Works, succeed in all things science with How Science Works and discover the cosmos like you’ve never known before with How Space Works. Whatever topic sparks your interests, there’s a plethora of knowledge to discover!

Secure the best deal by acting fast! Our Pre-Order promo offers unbeatable prices on must-have items. Be quick to lock in the lowest cost before the promo ends.

The best part? You won't be charged until your item is ready to ship. This means you can reserve your product at the best price without immediate payment. Whether you're first in line or just ahead of the crowd, you're making a smart choice. Reserve your item now and enjoy the benefits of being an early buyer, with the added flexibility of delayed payment!

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs