Understanding Politics Ideas, Institutions, and Issues

by Magstadt, Thomas M.

• ISBN13: 9780495797760
• ISBN10: 0495797766
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-26
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

With its strong, engaging "politics are pertinent" theme and current, cutting-edge coverage, UNDERSTANDING POLITICS: IDEAS, INSTITUTIONS, AND ISSUES, is the proven best-selling text for the introduction to political science course. Thomas Magstadt fascinates students with his coverage of three fundamental premises: 1) politics is a pervasive force in modern society; 2) government is too important to be left in the hands of a few; and 3) in a democracy, everyone has both the opportunity and the obligation to participate in public life. The Ninth Edition focuses on such vital concepts as democracy, dictatorship, citizenship, voting behavior, elections, leadership, ideologies, war, revolution, world politics, and public policy--fundamental concepts that provide students with a view of politics and economics that is at once lucid, nuanced, and empowering.

Table of Contents

Introduction: the Study of Politics

The Idea of the Public Good: Ideologies and Isms

Comparative Political Systems: Models and Theories

Utopias: Model States

Constitutional Democracy: Models of Representation

The Authoritarian Model: Myth and Reality

The Totalitarian Model: False Utopias

Established and Emerging Democracies

Parliamentary Democracy

States and Economies in Transition: Between Democracy and Yesterday

The Other World: Development or Anarchy?

Politics by Civil Means: Citizens, Leaders, and Policies

Political Socialization: the Making of a Citizen

Political Participation: the Price of Influence

Political Leadership: the Many Faces of Power

Issues in Public Policy: Principles, Priorities, and Practices

Politics by Violent Means: Revolution, War, and Terrorism

Revolution: in the Name of Justice

Terrorism: Weapon of the Weak

War: Politics by Other Means

Politics Without Government

International Relations: the Struggle for Power

International Organization(s): Globalization and the Quest for Order

Glossary

Acknowledgments

Index

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