Voices of Dissent Critical Readings in American Politics

by Grover, William F.; Peschek, Joseph G.

• ISBN13: 9780205251711
• ISBN10: 0205251714
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-23
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Offers critical perspectives on American politics Voices of Dissent: Critical Readings in American Politicsis the only reader to offer a systematic series of critical perspectives on American politics. It addresses issues central to our political life in the twenty-first century, and prompts students to question ideology, think critically, and act globally. Learning Goals: Upon completing this book, readers will be able to: Explore critical perspectives on American politics Understand key political questions Think critically about American political topics

Table of Contents

*Selections new to the ninth edition.

 

Introduction. Why a Critical Reader?

 

PART I. STRUCTURE

 

Chapter 1. Democracy and Political Economy

Frances Moore Lappe, “The Straightjacket of Thin Democracy”
Susan George, “A Short History of Neo-Liberalism”
Dan Clawson, Alan Neusfadtl, and Mark Weller, “Why Does the Air Stink? Corporate Power and Public Policy”

*Fred Magdoff and John Bellamy Foster, “Capitalism and the Environment”

 

Chapter 2. Ideology and Political Culture

Jennifer L. Hochschild, “What is the American Dream?”

*James Gustave Speth, “Happiness and the American Dream”

Ira Chernus, “The Theology of American Empire”

Robert Jensen, “The Greatest Nation on Earth”

 

Chapter 3. Constitutional and State Structures

Joshua Cohen and Joel Rogers, “American Exceptionalism and the Politics of Fragmentation”

Kenneth M. Dolbeare and Linda Medcalf, “The Dark Side of the Constitution”

Brooke Allen, “Our Godless Constitution”

Howard Zinn, “Some Truths Are Not Self-Evident”

 

PART II Politics and Institutions

 

Chapter 4. Mass Media and Politics

*Robert W. McChesney and John Nichols, “The Death and Life of American Journalism”
W. Lance Bennett, “News Content and Illusion: Four information Biases That Matter”

*John Atlas and Peter Dreier, “Why ACORN Fell: The Times, Lies, and Videotape"

Bill Moyers, “'Facts Still Matter…': The Need for an Independent Media"

 

Chapter 5. Parties and Elections

Thomas Frank, “What’s the Matter With America?”

*Paul Street and Matthew DiMaggio, “The Myth of the Tea Party”

*Lawrence Lessig, “Democracy After Citizens United”

Katrina Vanden Heuvel, “Just Democracy: The Crisis and Opportunity in American Elections”

 

Chapter 6. Congress

John C. Berg, “Congress and Big Business”

Common Cause, “Democracy On Drugs: How a Bill Really Becomes a Law"

*Matt Taibbi, “Wall Street’s Big Win: The Charade of Financial Reform”

Patricia Siplon and William F. Grover, “Congressional Inertia: Iron Triangles Old and New”

 

Chapter 7. The Presidency

Michael A. Genovese, “The Limits of Presidential Power”

Bruce Miroff, “The Presidential Spectacle”

*Tom Engelhardt, “Militarism and the American Presidency”

*Joseph G. Peschek, “The Obama Presidency and the Economic Crisis”

 

Chapter 8. Law and the Courts

Jeffrey Rosen, “Supreme Court Inc.”

*Saul Cornell, “New Originalism: A Constitutional Scam”

Patricia J. Williams, “This Dangerous Patriot’s Game”

Claire Snyder-Hall, “Neo-Patriarchy and the Anti-Homosexual Agenda”

 

PART III Politics and Vision

 

Chapter 9. Political Challenges at Home and Abroad

*Barbara Ehrenreich, “Kicking People When They’re Down: Poverty in America”
Walter Benn Michaels, “Race, Gender, and Class in U.S. Politics”

*Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, “Merchants of Doubt”

*Noam Chomsky, “9/11 and the Imperial Mentality”

Chapter 10. Visions of a New Democracy

Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter From Birmingham Jail”

Naomi Klein, “Reclaiming the Commons”

Jared Bernstein, “All Together Now: Common Sense for a Fair Economy”

Bill McKibben, “Deep Economy: Reimagining Growth and Progress”