Introduction: past, present, and future of the comparative study of political institutions

Tackling global political challenges such as climate change, polarization, inequality, de-democratization, or the rapid advancement of technology involves political institutions across all levels, making them an omnipresent feature of our politics. Emphasizing the three-fold significance of studying political institutions, this editorial introduction highlights the need for a deliberately comparative approach, a genuine perspective grounded in political science, and a holistic examination encompassing both classic, long-standing and emerging, more recent political institutions. The chapter outlines the structure, approach, and main goals of the Handbook of Comparative Political Institutions, offering a comprehensive, authoritative, and state-of-the-art overview. Through a review of common themes in the current and future study of comparative political institutions, it charts a forward-looking agenda for the further advancement of this burgeoning field.