New American Democracy, The, Alternate Edition (6th Edition)

With an emphasis on elections and their importance in the American political system, this groundbreaking offers a stimulating, analytical approach to American government and a unique perspective on contemporary politics.

Noted scholars and teachers all, the authors propose in their text that politicians today are perpetually engaged in the election process―a “permanent campaign”―which has profoundly affected how our government functions today.  The proliferation of public opinion polls, the growing influence of the Internet, the ubiquitous nature of the news media, and the increasingly important role of interest groups–all demonstrate that America is moving toward a more popular democracy and have blurred the lines between politicians campaigning and governing. 

The sixth edition of this prestigious text will have been brought completely up-to-date through the end of the George W. Bush administration and 2008 Presidential Election, by its publication.  The alternate version of The New American Democracy includes the exact same coverage as the comprehensive version without the policy chapters. 

• Famous, highly-respected author, Morris Fiorina, continues to helm this book.  His acclaim, exposure, and influence ― bolstered by the success of his other Longman text, Culture War? The Myth of a Polarized America ― help to make this book one of the most prestigious American government books available.
• Elegant, two-color design underscores the prestige of the title, avoids clutter or “pandering” to students, and offers a look and feel that is appealing to faculty who know and admire Fiorina and Peterson’s work.
• Chapter-opening vignettes introduce the subject matter with high-interest issues such as Hurricane Katrina (Chapter 3) and the role of race and gender in the 2008 campaign.
• “Making the Connection” features follow each vignette, relating its themes to the chapter content and preparing students for the material to follow.“Election Voices.”  Fifteen essays presenting opposing viewpoints on controversial political topics ― supplemented with critical thinking questions to encourage students to formulate their own opinions ― constitute a “debate style reader built into the text for free.
• “International Comparison.” These boxes compare elements of American Government with similar elements in other countries, putting the U.S. system in global context and giving students a better understanding of its strengths and limitations.
• “Election Connection.” Illustrating the book’s focus on electoral forces, these features describe the relationship between elections and institutions or policies using real-life examples such as  the Harriet Miers nomination to the Supreme Court.
• Marginal definitions are provided for key terms that are boldfaced in the text and included in the end-of-book Glossary. 
• On the Web sections at the end of each chapter direct readers to Web sites where they can find more information on the topics discussed.
• Chapter Summary, Key Terms, and annotated Suggested Readings are also found at the end of each chapter.
• MyPoliSciLab access comes at no additional charge when an access card is packaged with the book.

New to this Edition:

• More theory and foundations in Chapter 1. Chapter 1 now includes more foundational coverage of the basic functions of government, as well as expanded coverage of the classic types of government and modern types of democracy.

• Expanded, in-depth international coverage, including many more “International Comparison” boxes, enhances this book’s strong comparative aspect, helps students develop a more global perspective on government and politics.  Several International Comparison boxes have been expanded, and many are now accompanied by maps to build students’ geographical skills.

• Enhanced, interactive graphs and charts! The book’s already superior figures have also been redesigned with a bolder, more modern look, captions that highlight the key ideas of the graphic, and questions that call for analysis of the data.

• Five new “Election Voices” essays explore the election and its impact on controversial issues like the drinking age, lobbying restrictions, direct democracy, affirmative action and the question of whether judges should be elected.  An expanded “Election Connection” box discusses Federalism and The Homeland Security Grant Program. 

• Updated and expanded material throughout further bolsters the elections theme and provides the latest coverage on such topics as immigration, public opinion on the Iraq war, blogosphere and podcasts in politics, recent Supreme Court decisions, the end of the George W. Bush administration, and the 2008 Presidential Election results.