The Politics Collection

  • About the collection

    The Library develops and maintains significant collections on politics relating to the countries of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The material is in European, Asian and African languages. Material on politics outside Asia and Africa and general works on politics are acquired where they are needed to support teaching.

    We welcome suggestions for new purchases from Library members. Please complete the recommendation form .

  • What is in the collection?
    • Go through the Library Catalogue for books on Political theory and practice, alongside specific works on Asian, African and Middle Eastern Politics in Western and vernacular languages.
    • Extensive collection of journals in both print and electronic format. (Classmarks range between Per 100 and Per 109). Check the Library catalogue and eJournals and eBook Finder for more information.
    • Newspapers from Africa, Asia and the Middle East in print and electronic media .
    • Databases containing qualitative and quantitative information, including statistics and financial data.
  • Location

    The politics collection can be found on Level E between stacks 16 and 21. Classmarks range between A320-A329. Oversized books are shelved at the end of the collection at LA320-LA329. There is also a small collection of reference works on Level E.

    Works focusing on a specific country or region are shelved in the respective regional collection. They will have a different letter code to indicate this.

    For a full listing of classmarks and their location, please consult the Library location list .

  • Print collections

    The collection is particularly strong on political economy, human rights and international organisations. The print collections include material on numerous subjects relating to political theory, systems of government and states, and practice and policy (e.g. migration, foreign aid, energy policy, elections etc…).

    For details of holdings in related subject areas see the relevant Subject Guides .

    Items are acquired and managed according to the Collection Development Policy for Politics and International Relations .

  • Special collections

    A wide array of special collections that are of relevance to those studying Politics are held in the Archives & Special Collections , which are housed on Level F of the Library. Themes running through the collections include:

    • ‘Colonialism and Empire’
    • Campaigns for human rights and the support of ethnic minorities where their rights are threatened
    • The struggle against slavery and apartheid
    • The protection of land rights
    • Protests at the erosion of civil and political liberties.

    Collections of particular interest include:
    NGOs, charities and campaigning organisations

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