The Challenge of Politics: An Introduction to Political Science

by Riemer, Neal

• ISBN13: 9781933116709
• ISBN10: 1933116706
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-28
• Publisher: Cq Pr

Summary

Can politics be a civilizing endeavor? Most students do not view it as such; rather, they see it as a necessary evil, overly partisan and messy. Politics in other nations seems even more confusing and bewildering with a variety of political systems, divergent histories, and diverse cultures. Where do you begin then, when teaching all of politics—its philosophy, science, policies, subfields, and scholarly debates? Just because the question is difficult to answer does not mean we should avoid tackling it. Indeed, The Challenge of Politics links social scientific concerns to the important role that values and judgment play in politics; it calls upon students to make wise decisions based on a combination of factors: thorough knowledge, deep understanding, rational thought, and a sense of compassion. This theme of politics as scientific study and a humanizing enterprise enables students to effectively explore the impact of philosophy and ideology, to recognize major forms of government, to evaluate empirical findings, and to understand how policy issues directly affect people’s lives.

Table of Contents

Tables, Figures, Boxes, and Maps	xvi
About the Authors	xviii
Preface	xix
Introduction	1	(1)
Political Values	2	(1)
A Science of Politics	3	(1)
Political Wisdom	3	(1)
The Future of Politics and Political Science	3	(4)
PART 1. RULES OF THE GAME	7	(114)
Games Politicians Play	9	(24)
The Game of Politics	9	(4)
Elements of the Game	10	(1)
The Destruction-Accommodation-Conversion Continuum	11	(2)
Wipeout: The Politics of Destruction	13	(6)
Athens and Melos	13	(3)
Relevance to Modern Politics	16	(3)
Lion and Fox: The Politics of the Nation-State	19	(5)
Machiavelli: The End Justifies the Means	19	(3)
Relevance to Modern Politics	22	(2)
Strike: The Politics of Withdrawal	24	(3)
Lysistrata: Make Love, Not War	24	(1)
Relevance to Modern Politics	25	(2)
Civil Disobedience: The Politics of Morality	27	(3)
Thoreau: ``On Civil Disobedience''	27	(2)
Relevance to Modern Politics	29	(1)
Conclusion	30	(1)
Suggested Readings	31	(1)
Glossary Terms	32	(1)
Politics and Choice	33	(24)
Four Important Themes	33	(4)
Elaborating the Theme	35	(1)
Values, Facts, and Judgment	36	(1)
Socrates and the Moral Life: Political Obligation in Ancient Athens	37	(4)
Socrates' Choice	37	(2)
Questioning Socrates' Choice	39	(2)
Madison, the New Republic, and Federal Theory: The Struggle for a Creative Breakthrough in Modern Politics	41	(5)
The Problem: Reconciling Liberty and Authority	41	(2)
Madison's Solution	43	(2)
Continuing Efforts to Reconcile Liberty and Authority	45	(1)
The German Citizen and the Nazi Regime: Can Modern Citizens Bear the Burden of Freedom?	46	(4)
The Situation in Germany	46	(3)
Lessons of the Nazi Experience	49	(1)
John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: The Perils of Choice in the Nuclear Age	50	(5)
Considering the Alternatives	51	(2)
Making the Choice	53	(2)
Conclusion	55	(1)
Suggested Readings	55	(1)
Glossary Terms	56	(1)
Political Science: Components, Tasks, and Controversies	57	(22)
The Basic Structure of Political Science	57	(2)
The Three Major Components of Political Science	59	(3)
The Ethical Component	60	(1)
The Empirical Component	60	(1)
The Prudential Component	61	(1)
The Four Major Tasks of Political Science	62	(8)
Ethical Recommendation	62	(2)
Empirical Understanding	64	(1)
Prudential Judgment	65	(1)
Theoretical Integration	66	(4)
Continuing Controversies in Political Science	70	(7)
The Quest for the Good Political Life	70	(2)
The Search for a Science of Politics	72	(2)
Helpful Guidance for Leaders of State and Citizens	74	(2)
Toward a Unified Discipline of Political Science	76	(1)
Conclusion	77	(1)
Suggested Readings	77	(1)
Glossary Terms	78	(1)
The Scientific Enterprise	79	(14)
Science as a Critical and Systematic Search	80	(1)
Common Features of the Scientific Enterprise	81	(6)
Problem Identification	81	(1)
Hypothesis Articulation	82	(2)
Reliable Data Collection	84	(1)
Hypothesis Validation and Scientific Explanation	85	(2)
The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Scientific Enterprise	87	(4)
Strengths of the Scientific Enterprise	87	(1)
Weaknesses of the Scientific Enterprise	87	(2)
Assessment of the Scientific Enterprise	89	(2)
Conclusion	91	(1)
Suggested Readings	91	(1)
Glossary Terms	92	(1)
The Physical, Social, and Cultural Environment of Politics	93	(28)
Propositions and Challenges	93	(2)
The Physical World We Live In	95	(5)
The Population Tidal Wave	96	(1)
Finite Resources	97	(3)
The Biological, Physiological, Psychological, and Social Creatures We Are	100	(3)
Human Needs	100	(1)
Cooperation Versus Conflict	101	(1)
Racism and Sexism	102	(1)
The Social Communities We Have Built	103	(11)
The Sociopolitical Setting of Politics	103	(1)
The Economic Environment of Politics	104	(2)
The Sociological Setting of Politics	106	(4)
The Scientific and Technological Environment of Politics	110	(2)
The Historical Setting of Politics	112	(2)
The Cultural Universe We Have Created	114	(3)
The Culture of the Enlightenment	114	(1)
Striking a Cultural Balance	115	(1)
Niebuhr's Political Realism	116	(1)
Conclusion	117	(1)
Suggested Readings	118	(1)
Glossary Terms	119	(2)
PART 2. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND IDEOLOGY	121	(92)
The Quest for the Good Political Life	123	(23)
Classical Greek Thought: The Search for Political Excellence	123	(4)
Plato: Justice as the Harmony of Classes and Rule by Philosopher-Kings	124	(1)
Aristotle: Constitutional Government and Rule by the Middle Class	125	(2)
Christianity and the Good Political Life	127	(4)
Augustine: Incomplete Worldly Peace, Order, and Justice	127	(2)
Thomas Aquinas: Constitution, Law, Common Good, and Reason	129	(2)
The Renaissance: Niccolo Machiavelli and the Quest for a Virtuous Republic	131	(2)
Modern Political Thought	133	(9)
Thomas Hobbes: The Need for a Supreme Sovereign Leader	133	(2)
John Locke: Popular, Limited, Responsible, Representative Government	135	(1)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Popular Sovereignty through the General Will	136	(1)
Edmund Burke: Prescriptive Constitutional Government	137	(2)
John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism and Liberty	139	(2)
Karl Marx: Universal Human Emancipation via Communism	141	(1)
Contemporary Political Philosophy	142	(1)
Conclusion	143	(1)
Suggested Readings	144	(1)
Glossary Terms	145	(1)
Liberal Democracy	146	(23)
Toward a Definition of Liberal Democracy	147	(1)
The Ideals of Liberal Democracy	148	(4)
The Sources of Liberal Democracy	152	(3)
Liberalism, Capitalism, and Democracy	155	(3)
The Changing Character of Liberalism	157	(1)
The Changing Character of Democracy	157	(1)
Variations on the Liberal Democratic Theme	158	(3)
American Liberals	160	(1)
American Conservatives	160	(1)
An Assessment of Liberal Democracy	161	(4)
The Defense of Liberal Democracy	161	(1)
The Attack on Liberal Democracy: Left and Right	162	(3)
Conclusion	165	(1)
Suggested Readings	166	(2)
Glossary Terms	168	(1)
Democratic Socialism and Communism: Ideologies of the Left	169	(30)
Democratic Socialism	170	(2)
Toward a Definition of Democratic Socialism	170	(1)
The Ideals of Democratic Socialism	171	(1)
The Sources of Democratic Socialism	172	(7)
Religious Roots	173	(1)
Utopian Roots	174	(2)
Marxist Roots	176	(1)
Revisionist Roots	176	(1)
Fabian Roots	177	(1)
Trade Union Roots	178	(1)
Reformist Roots	179	(1)
Democratic Socialism as a Political Ideology: Pro and Con	179	(1)
Criticism of Democratic Socialism	179	(1)
The Defense of Democratic Socialism	180	(1)
Communism	180	(3)
Toward a Definition of Communism	180	(1)
The Ideals of Communism	181	(2)
The Sources of Communism	183	(6)
Karl Marx: Master Theoretician	183	(2)
V. I. Lenin: Master Revolutionary Strategist and Tactician	185	(2)
Joseph Stalin: Master Builder of Soviet Power	187	(1)
Mao Zedong: Founder of Chinese Communism	188	(1)
Communism as a Political Ideology and Philosophy: Pro and Con	189	(4)
Criticism of Communism	189	(3)
The Defense of Communism	192	(1)
The Recent Past and Future of Democratic Socialism and Communism	193	(3)
Democratic Socialism	193	(1)
Communism	194	(2)
Conclusion	196	(1)
Suggested Readings	196	(1)
Glossary Terms	197	(2)
Toward a General Understanding of Dictatorship and Authoritarian States	199	(14)
The Nazi Variety of Fascism	203	(7)
Toward an Understanding of Nazi Germany and Fascism	203	(1)
The Operative Ideals of Nazism	204	(2)
The Sources of Nazism	206	(4)
A Critique of Nazism	210	(1)
Conclusion	210	(1)
Suggested Readings	211	(1)
Glossary Terms	211	(2)
PART 3. COMPARATIVE AND WORLD POLITICS	213	(134)
The Political Values of Political Actors	214	(22)
Some Key Terms Defined	215	(1)
The Values of Nations as Political Actors	216	(8)
Security and Peace	217	(3)
Liberty, Human Rights, and Democracy	220	(2)
Justice, Equality, and Liberty	222	(2)
Welfare and Economic Well-Being	224	(1)
Popular Values	224	(5)
Interest Groups and Class Values	229	(3)
Interest Groups	230	(1)
Class Values	231	(1)
Conclusion	232	(2)
Suggested Readings	234	(1)
Glossary Terms	235	(1)
National Politics: Culture, Constitutions, Citizens	236	(27)
Patterns for Cooperation, Accommodation, and Conflict Resolution	237	(1)
Political Culture and the Framing of Politics	238	(4)
Why Is Political Culture Important?	239	(1)
Agreement on the Fundamentals of Political Culture	240	(2)
Constitutional Features	242	(9)
Limited or Unlimited Government	242	(1)
Representative Government or Direct Democracy	242	(2)
Separation or Connection of Powers	244	(1)
Federalism or Unitary Government	245	(3)
Majority Rule	248	(3)
The Role of Nongovernmental Actors	251	(9)
Citizens	251	(1)
Interest Groups	252	(2)
Political Parties	254	(5)
The Media	259	(1)
Conclusion	260	(1)
Suggested Readings	261	(1)
Glossary Terms	262	(1)
National Politics: Governmental Actors	263	(27)
The Role of Governmental Actors	263	(21)
Legislatures	264	(4)
Executives	268	(8)
Bureaucracies	276	(3)
The Courts	279	(5)
Assessment of the Patterns of Governance	284	(3)
Conclusion	287	(1)
Suggested Readings	288	(1)
Glossary Terms	289	(1)
International Politics and the Global Community	290	(28)
Post--World War II and Post--Cold War Challenges	290	(1)
Current Patterns in International Politics	291	(2)
The Standard of National Interest	292	(1)
The Primary Role of Power	292	(1)
Balance of Power	293	(5)
The Cold War Balance of Power	294	(1)
Results of the Cold War	295	(2)
The Costs and Aftermath of the Cold War	297	(1)
Domination	298	(1)
Multilateralism	299	(12)
The United Nations in Theory and Practice	299	(8)
Regional Integration	307	(2)
Globalization	309	(2)
Other Forms of Behavior: Neutrality, Nonalignment, and Isolation	311	(1)
Nonstate Actors	311	(3)
Nongovernmental Organizations	311	(1)
Terrorist Organizations	312	(1)
Multinational Corporations	313	(1)
Conclusion	314	(1)
Suggested Readings	315	(1)
Glossary Terms	316	(2)
Decision Making in Politics	318	(29)
The Rational Actor Model	319	(3)
Problem Identification	319	(1)
The Environment of Politics	320	(1)
Alternative Possibilities	321	(1)
Wise Judgment	321	(1)
The Political Actor Model	322	(2)
Politics as a Struggle for Power	322	(1)
The Plurality and Diversity of Players, Values, and Interests	323	(1)
The Crucial Role of Bargaining	324	(1)
The Organizational Actor Model	324	(2)
Organizational Interests, Procedures, and Capabilities	324	(1)
How Organizational Life Affects Decision Making	325	(1)
Organizational Bargaining	326	(1)
The Elitist Actor Model	326	(4)
The Pervasiveness of Elite Rule	328	(1)
Self-Interested Rule	328	(2)
The Idiosyncratic Actor Model	330	(2)
The Destructive Decision Maker	330	(1)
The Creative Decision Maker	331	(1)
Decision Making at Various Levels in American Politics	332	(11)
The Voter	332	(2)
The Representative	334	(4)
The Chief Executive	338	(1)
The Supreme Court Justice	339	(4)
Toward a Theory of Comparative Decision Making	343	(1)
Conclusion	344	(1)
Suggested Readings	345	(1)
Glossary Terms	346	(1)
PART 4. POLITICAL JUDGMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY	347	(102)
War and Peace in the Modern Age	349	(24)
Ethical and Empirical Factors	350	(8)
The Mortal Threat of Nuclear War	350	(1)
The Consequences of Conventional Wars	351	(2)
The Burden of Arms Expenditures	353	(3)
Dangers of the Sovereign Nation-State System	356	(1)
The War on Terrorism	357	(1)
Alternative Approaches to a More Peaceful World	358	(12)
A New Balance of Power	358	(2)
The United Nations' Third-Party Activities	360	(3)
Collective Security	363	(1)
Global Economic Integration	364	(1)
Peace through Functionalism	365	(3)
Nonviolent Civilian Defense	368	(2)
Conclusion	370	(1)
Suggested Readings	371	(1)
Glossary Terms	372	(1)
The Battle on Behalf of Human Rights	373	(25)
Clarifying the Problem	374	(1)
Ethical and Empirical Factors	375	(9)
Genocide	375	(3)
The Persistence of Racism	378	(1)
Left-Wing and Right-Wing Violations	379	(3)
Offenses against Women	382	(2)
Alternative Approaches to Securing Human Rights	384	(12)
Efforts of Powerful States	384	(4)
The United Nations	388	(4)
Nongovernmental Organizations	392	(1)
Efforts of the Least Free	393	(3)
Conclusion	396	(1)
Suggested Readings	396	(1)
Glossary Terms	397	(1)
The Struggle for Economic Well-Being	398	(25)
Defining Economic Well-Being	399	(1)
Ethical and Empirical Factors	400	(6)
The Persistence of Poverty	400	(4)
The Causes and Consequences of Poverty	404	(1)
The Calculus of Costs and Benefits	405	(1)
Alternative Approaches to Economic Well-Being	406	(11)
Liberal Capitalism and Liberal Democracy	407	(2)
Egalitarian Communism	409	(4)
Illiberal Capitalism and Right-Wing Authoritarianism	413	(2)
Democratic Socialism	415	(2)
The Critical Role of the International Community	417	(3)
International Organizations	417	(1)
Nongovernmental Organizations	418	(1)
State-Based Foreign Aid Programs	419	(1)
Conclusion	420	(1)
Suggested Readings	421	(1)
Glossary Terms	422	(1)
The Imperative of Ecological Health	423	(26)
Ethical and Empirical Factors	424	(10)
Depletion of the Ozone Layer	425	(1)
Global Warming	426	(2)
Pollution	428	(2)
Depletion of Valuable Resources	430	(2)
The Danger of Population Imbalance	432	(2)
The Challenges of Ecological Politics	434	(1)
Alternative Approaches to Ecological Health	434	(12)
Liberal Conservation	435	(1)
Guarded Optimism and Economic Growth	436	(4)
A Sustainable Development Model	440	(2)
A Steady-State Philosophy	442	(3)
Benevolent Authoritarianism	445	(1)
Conclusion	446	(1)
Suggested Readings	447	(1)
Glossary Terms	448	(1)
Conclusion	449	(7)
Notes	456	(19)
Glossary	475	(10)
Index	485