The Challenge of Democracy

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9780618312078
• ISBN10: 0618312072
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-11
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

The Brief Edition retains the popular themes of the full length text: the conflicting values of freedom, order, and equality, and the majoritarianism vs. pluralism debate. New to this edition is greater attention to globalization; thorough coverage of recent political events, including the 2002 election; George W. Bush's presidency; and the "War on Terrorism." A complete technology package includes HM Testing; companion web sites; Political SourceNet, a database of topics that includes each branch of government, primary source documents, exercises, and web links; and IDEAlog. Can You Explain Why? marginal features challenge students to use critical-thinking skills to explain a paradoxical situation, such as why Americans, more than other people, engage in most forms of political participation except voting. Politics in a Changing World features appear in half the chapters and focus on globalization by discussing how American politics affects the world and how world politics affects the US. Politics in a Changing America alternate with Changing World, concentrating on the role of minority groups as they relate to changes in the political opportunity, participation, and status of their groups. Crosstabs and IDEAlog icons appear in text margins to indicate where students can incorporate these supplements into their work. A marginal glossary highlights key terms and definitions. An expanded discussion of the Electoral College explains its function in detail.

Table of Contents

Contents Note: Each chapter concludes with a Summary. 1. Dilemmas of Democracy The Globalization of American Government The Purposes of Government A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Government The American Governmental Process: Majoritarian or Pluralist? Democracy and Globalization 2. The Constitution The Revolutionary Roots of the Constitution From Revolution to Confederation From Confederation to Constitution The Final Product Selling the Constitution Constitutional Change An Evaluation of the Constitution 3. Federalism Theories of Federalism Representations of American Federalism The Dynamics of Federalism The Developing Concept of Federalism The Revival of Federalism Other Governments in the Federal System Contemporary Federalism and the Dilemmas of Democracy Federalism and Pluralism 4. Public Opinion, Political Socialization, and the Media Public Opinion and the Models of Democracy Political Socialization Social Groups and Political Values From Values to Ideology The Process of Forming Political Opinions The Media in America Reporting and Following the News Evaluating the Media in Government 5. Participation and Voting Democracy and Political Participation Unconventional Participation Conventional Participation Participating Through Voting Explaining Political Participation Participation and Freedom, Equality, and Order Participation and the Models of Democracy 6. Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections Political Parties and Their Functions A History of U.S. Party Politics The American Two-Party System Party Ideology and Organization The Model of Responsible Party Government Parties and Candidates Elections Campaigns Explaining Voting Choice Campaigns, Elections, and Parties 7. Interest Groups Interest Groups and the American Political Tradition How Interest Groups Form Interest Group Resources Lobbying Tactics Is the System Biased? 8. Congress The Origin and Powers of Congress Electing the Congress How Issues Get on the Congressional Agenda The Dance of Legislation: An Overview Committees: The Workhorses of Congress Leaders and Followers in Congress The Legislative Environment The Dilemma of Representation: Trustees or Delegates? Pluralism, Majoritarianism, and Democracy 9. The Presidency The Constitutional Basis of Presidential Power The Expansion of Presidential Power The Electoral Connection The Executive Branch Establishment The President as National Leader The President as World Leader Presidential Character 10. The Bureaucracy Organization Matters The Development of the Bureaucratic State Bureaus and Bureaucrats Administrative Policymaking: The Formal Processes Administrative Policymaking: Informal Politics Reforming the Bureaucracy: More Control or Less? 11. The Courts National Judicial Supremacy The Organization of Courts The Supreme Court Judicial Recruitment The Consequences of Judicial Decisions The Courts and Models of Democracy 12. Order and Civil Liberties The Bill of Rights Freedom of Religion Freedom of Expression The Right to Bear Arms Applying the Bill of Rights to the States The Ninth Amendment and Personal Autonomy 13. Equality and Civil Rights Two Conceptions of Equality The Civil War Amendments The Dismantling of School Segregation The Civil Rights Movement Civil Rights for Other Minorities Gender and Equal Rights: The Women's Movement Affirmative Action: Equal Opportunity or Equal Outcome? 14. Policymaking and the Budget Government Purposes and Public Policies The Policymaking Process: A Model Issue Networks Economic Policy and the Budget Appendices Declaration of Independence in Congress; July 4, 1776 Constitution of the United States of America Amendments to the Constitution References Selected Readings Index