The Struggle for Democracy

by Greenberg, Edward S.; Page, Benjamin I.

• ISBN13: 9780321420831
• ISBN10: 0321420837
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

This critical thinking approach to American government asks students to evaluate the quality of democracy in America today within a unique framework that offers a holistic view of our system. The eighth edition of this best-selling text has been completely updated through the 2006 midterm elections. Continuing to offer its lively, critical thinking approach to the course,The Struggle for Democracyis organized around two themes: "Using the Democracy Standard" and "Using the Framework." The first theme, woven throughout the narrative of the entire book, asks students to evaluate the health and vitality of American democracy today against a "democratic ideal" that is carefully defined in the first chapter. The text's second theme, "Using the Framework," asks students to look at the structures underlying our political systemsuch as the economy, society, cultural values, technologyand examine how these structures affect, and are affected by, our political system.

Table of Contents

Democracy and American Politics

Robert Moses and the Struggle for African-American Voting Rights. Democracy

A Framework for Understanding How American Politics Works

Understanding American Politics Holistically

The Constitution

Shays Rebellion

The Political Theory and Practices of the Revolutionary Era

The Articles of Confederation: The First Constitution

Convening the Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention

The Struggle to Ratify the Constitution

The Changing Constitution, Democracy, and American Politics

Federalism: States and Nation

Welfare Reform and the States

Federalism as a System of Government

The Constitution and Shared Powers

The Evolution of Federalism

The Rise of National Grants-in-Aid to the States

The Balance of Power and Control

The Consequences of Federalism

The Structural Foundations of American Government and Politics

"B-1 Bob" Learns About His District

American Society: How It Has Changed and Why It Matters

The American Economy

The United States in the International System

The Foundation Beliefs of American Political Culture

Structural Influences on American Politics

Public Opinion and Political Socialization

The Vietnam War and the Public

Democracy and Public Opinion

What People Know About Politics

How People Feel About Politics

Sources of Political Attitudes

How People Differ

Public Opinion and Policy

The Mass Media

"Vernon Jordan Meets the Press." Roles of the Mass Media in Democracy

The Media Landscape

How the Media Work

Effects of the Media on Politics

Censorship and Government Regulation

Judging the Media

Interest Groups and Corporations

Lobbying for China

Interest Groups in a Democratic Society: Contrasting Views

Interest Group Formation: Structural, Political Linkage, and Governmental Factors

What Interests Are Represented

What Interest Groups Do

Possible Flaws in the Pluralist Heaven

The Special Place of Business Corporations

Curing the Mischief of Factions

Social Movements

Women Win the Right to Vote

What Are Social Movements?

Major Social Movements in the United States

Social Movements in a Majoritarian Democracy

Factors That Encourage the Creation of Social Movement

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