This volume serves as the comprehensive navigational tool for the multi-volume Handbook of Political Science, addressing the need for efficient information retrieval across a vast body of political theory and empirical research. Fred I. Greenstein, a prominent political scientist, oversaw the compilation of this index to synthesize the complex, multi-disciplinary contributions found within the original handbook series. The index provides a structured taxonomy of the concepts, authors, and methodologies discussed throughout the primary volumes, facilitating systematic access for researchers and students alike. It functions as a critical bridge between the expansive thematic essays of the handbook and the specific inquiries of the reader.

Scholars and librarians frequently cite this index as a necessary component for utilizing the Handbook of Political Science effectively. It is recognized as a standard reference tool that maintains high levels of academic precision and organizational clarity for advanced political science research.