The Challenge of Politics: An Introduction to Political Science - Couverture souple

Riemer, Neal; Simon, Douglas W.; Romance, Joseph

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1604266392 ISBN 13 : 9781604266399

Editeur : CQ Press, 2010

Synopsis

How best to incorporate and tie together the philosophy, science, policies, subfields, and scholarly debates that constitute what we call "politics"? Challenge's unique normative approach, which emphasizes politics as a humanizing endeavor that relies on values and judgment, gives purpose and direction to how students think about political science. The authors relate insights of classic political thinkers both to their modern counterparts and to the political dynamics of American, comparative, and international affairs. With its theme of politics as a scientific study, Challenge allows students to 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. NOTABLE REVISIONS INCLUDE: / The consolidation of chapters 3 and 4 to streamline discussion of the discipline's main components; / new "key questions" at the start of each chapter to help students grasp important concepts as they read. THOROUGH UPDATING INCLUDES DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF: / new developments in U.S. politics, from the election of Barack Obama and the appointment of Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor to the decision to close Guantanamo; / the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; / the continued expansion of the European Union; / the growing violence and instability in Pakistan; / the phenomenon of "failed states"; / progress made toward the UN's Millennium Development Goals; and, / the global recession that began in 2008.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

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 a 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. With the introductory student in mind, this text includes a wealth of features to aid learning. Photos with informative captions, tables and figures with contextual data, a variety of maps, annotated suggested readings, and highlighted key terms with a glossary enhance the book s presentation and help students review and study. Notable revisions to this second edition include discussion and analysis of: global terrorism and American-led military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq religion and politics with special emphasis on the rise of fundamentalism as reflected in both the Islamic world and the Christian Right in the United States the role of non-governmental organizations in the international system offenses against women, with greater attention paid to contemporary feminist theory major economic developments, including the continued rise of China and India as global economic powers and issues surrounding European integration democratization in Russia, genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, and nuclear proliferation problems, specifically in North Korea and Iran

Biographie de l'auteur

Douglas W. Simon is professor of political science at Drew University, specializing in international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, international organizations, and national security. In 1991, he was the first recipient of Drew s Presidential Distinguished Teaching Award and that same year received the Sears Outstanding Educator Award. He has contributed to such publications as the Harvard Journal of World Affairs, East Asian Survey, Comparative Political Studies, International Studies Notes, Teaching Political Science, and Society. Joseph Romance is associate professor of political science at Drew University, where he focuses on American politics and political theory. Romance is the coauthor of A Republic of Parties? Debating the Two-Party System and is a contributor to, and a coeditor of, two new books, Democracy and Excellence: Conflict or Concord? and Democracy s Literature. His articles and reviews have appeared in American Review of Politics and Newsday, and he has contributed to numerous edited volumes, including Progressive Politics in the Global Age.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: CQ Press
• Date d'édition: 2010
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1604266392
• ISBN 13: 9781604266399
• Reliure: Broché
• Numéro d'édition: 3
• Nombre de pages: 560
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible