John Coakley is a fellow of the Geary Institute in University College Dublin, and an emeritus professor there.

Michael Gallagher is emeritus professor of comparative politics at Trinity College, University of Dublin.

Eoin O'Malley is an associate professor in the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University.

Theresa Reidy is a senior lecturer in the Department of Government and Politics at University College Cork.

Chapter 1 The foundations of statehood - John Coakley (UCD)

Chapter 2 Society and political culture - John Coakley (UCD) and Theresa Reidy (UCC)

Chapter 3 Politics, the constitution and the judiciary - Michael Gallagher (TCD)

Chapter 4 The electoral system and its political consequences - Michael Gallagher (TCD)

Chapter 5 Parties and the party system - Liam Weeks (UCC)

Chapter 6 Voting behaviour - Kevin Cunningham (TUD) and Michael Marsh (TCD)

Chapter 7 Direct and deliberative democracy - Theresa Reidy (UCC) and Jane Suiter (DCU)

Chapter 8 Parliament - Catherine Lynch (HO) and Muiris MacCarthaigh (QUB)

Chapter 9 Women in politics - Fiona Buckley (UCC) and Yvonne Galligan (TUD)

Chapter 10 The government and the Taoiseach - Eoin O'Malley (DCU) and Shane Martin (UE)

Chapter 11 Interest groups and the policy-making process - Gary Murphy (DCU)

Chapter 12 The media and politics - Kevin Rafter (DCU) and Dawn Wheatley (DCU)

Chapter 13 Northern Ireland and the British dimension - John Coakley (UCD)

Chapter 14 Ireland and the European Union - Mary C. Murphy (UCC) and John O'Brennan (MU)