Approaching Democracy

Reviews / Votes

Praise for Approaching Democracy, Ninth Edition

"The argument that the nation is (or at least should be) moving steadily forward toward a governing ideal resonates with me and my students, and I appreciate that the authors use the notion of 'approaching democracy' as the textbook's organizing theme. The underlying premise is that a gap exists between where we currently are as a nation and where we aspire ultimately to be. Through comprehensive explorations of federal- and state- level politics, elite-level decision making and mass-level activism, domestic and foreign policy, and more, the authors bring this ideals-vs.-reality gap into sharper relief. Is the gap growing or holding steady? If growing, is it because the 'reality' of American democracy is backsliding, or because the 'ideal' is shifting, or both? The authors invite readers to grapple with these and related questions.

"Discussions of current social and political developments (e.g., the pandemic, the economic collapse, the Black Lives Matter protests, the 2020 presidential election cycle, etc.) are welcomed additions to this important book. I was also pleased to see that the study of politics and social identity are now prominently featured. After all, the ongoing quests for universal freedom-those taken up, for example, by women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with different abilities, and members of LGBTQ communities-play a major role in pushing an oftentimes reluctant country closer to its ideal."

--Ray Block Jr., The Pennsylvania State University

"Approaching Democracy presents the foundations of American politics situated in the context of our unique moment in time. The authors weave together centuries-old concepts underlying American democracy with the consequential and controversial debates that are unfolding today before students' eyes."

--Samara Klar, University of Arizona

"The 9th edition of Approaching Democracy is a heartily recommended addition to any introduction to American Government course due to its effective and comprehensive coverage of the institutions and structural elements that make up American democracy as well as its stimulating engagement of current developments and contemporary controversies. Its overarching theme of American politics as a dynamic process where the country is approaching democracy to varying degrees during its history is a compelling and thought-provoking enterprise that successfully connects each chapter into a coherent whole and will necessarily stimulate and improve critical thinking skills of students... Approaching Democracy effectively examines both substantive and analytical considerations related to identity politics and those increasingly significant aspects of American life. Approaching Democracy is a wonderfully accessible book for lower division college students that will assuredly engage them at the same time it maintains an appropriately rigorous level of scholarly insight and discourse for an introductory course."

--Stephen R. Routh, Stanislaus State University

"This volume is innovative for its approach to the study of American democracy. Features that encourage critical reflections on American exceptionalism and compel readers to place themselves at the center of civic debates facilitate active learning and foster engaged citizenship. This is the right text for our political times when inviting students into the process could not be more critical for democracy."

--Anna Mitchell Mahoney, Tulane University

"I heartily endorse the 9th edition of Approaching Democracy. The book has an interesting overarching idea. The idea is that democracy is an ideal as much as a system of government. The book explores the 'paradox of democracy'-namely, that there is a tug-of-war between majority rule (procedural democracy) and minority rights (principled democracy). The battle of political values--order, freedom, and equality--is explained in an interesting way. I have used earlier editions of this textbook and my students at both a community college and California State University found the book interesting, well- written and organized for introductory courses in American Government."

--Richard G. Randall, Merced College

"The new edition of Approaching Democracy continues to be well-written at an appropriate level for introductory students. Students find its many in-text resources very useful and professors find that referring to key documents like the US Constitution helps in clarifying important points."

--Kwame Badu Antwi-Boasiako, Stephen F. Austin State University

"The core theme of Approaching Democracy, that the US political system must honestly and vigorously strive to improve its democracy, is all the more relevant in the post-Trump era. Students will find the emphasis on critical challenges to democracy and a new commitment to equality and inclusion an engaging way to study the US political system."

--Roger P. Rose, University of Minnesota, Morris

"Approaching Democracy is a well written and accessible book that addresses many of the contemporary challenges to the American democratic experiment. These challenges are not just presented in a vacuum, but rather through a comparative perspective to better assess the evolution of this experiment. Furthermore, given some of the most salient and important issues of the day, the increased focus on diversity and identity in the content and narrative of the material is a welcomed and much needed perspective that puts into better view the continual push and pull struggle of American democracy."

--Stella M. Rouse, University of Maryland Praise for Approaching Democracy, Ninth Edition

"The argument that the nation is (or at least should be) moving steadily forward toward a governing ideal resonates with me and my students, and I appreciate that the authors use the notion of 'approaching democracy' as the textbook's organizing theme. The underlying premise is that a gap exists between where we currently are as a nation and where we aspire ultimately to be. Through comprehensive explorations of federal- and state- level politics, elite-level decision making and mass-level activism, domestic and foreign policy, and more, the authors bring this ideals-vs.-reality gap into sharper relief. Is the gap growing or holding steady? If growing, is it because the 'reality' of American democracy is backsliding, or because the 'ideal' is shifting, or both? The authors invite readers to grapple with these and related questions.

"Discussions of current social and political developments (e.g., the pandemic, the economic collapse, the Black Lives Matter protests, the 2020 presidential election cycle, etc.) are welcomed additions to this important book. I was also pleased to see that the study of politics and social identity are now prominently featured. After all, the ongoing quests for universal freedom-those taken up, for example, by women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with different abilities, and members of LGBTQ communities-play a major role in pushing an oftentimes reluctant country closer to its ideal."

--Ray Block Jr., The Pennsylvania State University

"Approaching Democracy presents the foundations of American politics situated in the context of our unique moment in time. The authors weave together centuries-old concepts underlying American democracy with the consequential and controversial debates that are unfolding today before students' eyes."

--Samara Klar, University of Arizona

"The 9th edition of Approaching Democracy is a heartily recommended addition to any introduction to American Government course due to its effective and comprehensive coverage of the institutions and structural elements that make up American democracy as well as its stimulating engagement of current developments and contemporary controversies. Its overarching theme of American politics as a dynamic process where the country is approaching democracy to varying degrees during its history is a compelling and thought-provoking enterprise that successfully connects each chapter into a coherent whole and will necessarily stimulate and improve critical thinking skills of students... Approaching Democracy effectively examines both substantive and analytical considerations related to identity politics and those increasingly significant aspects of American life. Approaching Democracy is a wonderfully accessible book for lower division college students that will assuredly engage them at the same time it maintains an appropriately rigorous level of scholarly insight and discourse for an introductory course."

--Stephen R. Routh, Stanislaus State University

"This volume is innovative for its approach to the study of American democracy. Features that encourage critical reflections on American exceptionalism and compel readers to place themselves at the center of civic debates facilitate active learning and foster engaged citizenship. This is the right text for our political times when inviting students into the process could not be more critical for democracy."

--Anna Mitchell Mahoney, Tulane University

"I heartily endorse the 9th edition of Approaching Democracy. The book has an interesting overarching idea. The idea is that democracy is an ideal as much as a system of government. The book explores the 'paradox of democracy'-namely, that there is a tug-of-war between majority rule (procedural democracy) and minority rights (principled democracy). The battle of political values--order, freedom, and equality--is explained in an interesting way. I have used earlier editions of this textbook and my students at both a community college and California State University found the book interesting, well- written and organized for introductory courses in American Government."

--Richard G. Randall, Merced College

"The new edition of Approaching Democracy continues to be well-written at an appropriate level for introductory students. Students find its many in-text resources very useful and professors find that referring to key documents like the US Constitution helps in clarifying important points."

--Kwame Badu Antwi-Boasiako, Stephen F. Austin State University

"The core theme of Approaching Democracy, that the US political system must honestly and vigorously strive to improve its democracy, is all the more relevant in the post-Trump era. Students will find the emphasis on critical challenges to democracy and a new commitment to equality and inclusion an engaging way to study the US political system."

--Roger P. Rose, University of Minnesota, Morris

"Approaching Democracy is a well written and accessible book that addresses many of the contemporary challenges to the American democratic experiment. These challenges are not just presented in a vacuum, but rather through a comparative perspective to better assess the evolution of this experiment. Furthermore, given some of the most salient and important issues of the day, the increased focus on diversity and identity in the content and narrative of the material is a welcomed and much needed perspective that puts into better view the continual push and pull struggle of American democracy."

--Stella M. Rouse, University of Maryland