The Challenge of Politics
An Introduction to Political Science
6th Edition
Will be published approx. on 14. April 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
488 pages
978-1-5443-0596-7 (ISBN)
Description
This updated Sixth Edition of The Challenge of Politics enables you to see how the subfields of political science converge around a set of crucial questions, such as "Can we as citizens and students articulate and defend a view of the good political life and its guiding political values?" "Can we bring political wisdom to bear on judgments about politics and public issues?" and "Can we develop a science of politics to help us understand significant political phenomena-the empirical realities of politics?" Balancing lessons of classic and contemporary theory with contemporary politics and empirical study, the book equips you with the tools you need to explore the impact of philosophy and ideology, recognize major forms of government, evaluate empirical findings, and understand how policy issues directly affect people's lives. This Sixth Edition includes a brand-new chapter on American Politics and Government and updated content on recent international events.
Reviews / Votes
"[This is] a textbook that offers students a good introduction to the science of politics while emphasizing the moral, empirical, and prudential dimensions of politics." -- Prosper Bernard, Jr. "The Challenge of Politics is precisely the sort of text that will help students bridge from their introductory American Government courses to more demanding curricula." -- Ken Hicks "[The Challenge of Politics] is one of the few texts out there that strikes a good balance between the empirical and normative approaches in the study of politics." -- Kostas KourtikakisMore details
Edition
6th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 187 mm
Weight
790 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5443-0596-7 (9781544305967)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Neal Riemer | Douglas W. Simon | Joseph Romance
The Challenge of Politics
An Introduction to Political Science
Book
03/2016
5th Edition
CQ Press
€151.52
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Douglas W. Simon is emeritus professor of political science at Drew University, where he specialized in international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, international organization, and national security. After receiving a BA from Willamette University, he served as an officer in U.S. air force intelligence, including a tour in Vietnam. Following his military service he earned a PhD at the University of Oregon. After arriving at Drew, he directed the university's Semester on the United Nations for fifteen years, served as convener of Drew's Masters in International Affairs Program, and later was department chair. In addition to The Challenge of Politics, he is coauthor of New Thinking and Developments in International Politics: Opportunities and Dangers and 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 Fort Hays State University, teaching in the fields of American politics and political theory. He received a BA from the College of William and Mary and a PhD from Rutgers University. He is coauthor, with Theodore Lowi and Gerald Pomper, of A Republic of Parties: Debating the Two Party System; coauthor of and contributor to Democracy and Excellence: Conflict or Concord?; and coeditor of Democracy's Literature. His articles and reviews have appeared in a number of journals, including American Review of Politics, The Responsive Community, Perspectives on Political Science, and Newsday. He has also contributed pieces to a number of edited volumes, including Progressive Politics in the Global Age and Friends and Citizens. He currently is working on a book about political foundings.
Neal Riemer (late) was the Andrew V. Stout Professor of Political Philosophy at Drew University. After receiving a PhD from Harvard University, he taught at the Pennsylvania State University; the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; University of Innsbruck, Austria; and Drew University. His books include Problems of American Government (editor); World Affairs: Problems and Prospects (coauthor); The Revival of Democratic Theory; The Democratic Experiment; The Future of the Democratic Revolution: Toward a More Prophetic Politics; New Thinking and Developments in International Politics: Opportunities and Dangers (editor/coauthor); Karl Marx and Prophetic Politics; James Madison: Creating the American Constitution; Creative Breakthroughs in Politics; Let Justice Roll: Prophetic Challenges in Religion, Politics, and Society (editor/coauthor); and Protection Against Genocide: Mission Impossible (editor).
Joseph Romance is associate professor of political science at Fort Hays State University, teaching in the fields of American politics and political theory. He received a BA from the College of William and Mary and a PhD from Rutgers University. He is coauthor, with Theodore Lowi and Gerald Pomper, of A Republic of Parties: Debating the Two Party System; coauthor of and contributor to Democracy and Excellence: Conflict or Concord?; and coeditor of Democracy's Literature. His articles and reviews have appeared in a number of journals, including American Review of Politics, The Responsive Community, Perspectives on Political Science, and Newsday. He has also contributed pieces to a number of edited volumes, including Progressive Politics in the Global Age and Friends and Citizens. He currently is working on a book about political foundings.
Neal Riemer (late) was the Andrew V. Stout Professor of Political Philosophy at Drew University. After receiving a PhD from Harvard University, he taught at the Pennsylvania State University; the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; University of Innsbruck, Austria; and Drew University. His books include Problems of American Government (editor); World Affairs: Problems and Prospects (coauthor); The Revival of Democratic Theory; The Democratic Experiment; The Future of the Democratic Revolution: Toward a More Prophetic Politics; New Thinking and Developments in International Politics: Opportunities and Dangers (editor/coauthor); Karl Marx and Prophetic Politics; James Madison: Creating the American Constitution; Creative Breakthroughs in Politics; Let Justice Roll: Prophetic Challenges in Religion, Politics, and Society (editor/coauthor); and Protection Against Genocide: Mission Impossible (editor).
Content
Tables, Figures, Boxes, and Maps
About the Authors
Preface
Introduction
Political Values
A Science of Politics
Political Wisdom
The Future of Politics and Political Science
PART I. RULES OF THE GAME
CHAPTER 1. Games Politicans Play
The Game of Politics
Wipeout: The Politics of Destruction
Lion and Fox: The Politics of the Nation-State
Civil Disobedience: The Politics of Morality
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 2. Politics and Choice
Five Important Themes
Socrates and the Moral Life: Political Obligation in Ancient Athens
Madison, the New Republic, and Federal Theory: The Struggle for Creative Breakthrough in Modern Politics
The German Citizen and the Nazi Regime: Can Modern Citizens Bear the Burden of Freedom?
John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: The Perils of Choice in the Nuclear Age
The Decision to Invade Iraq: The Perils of Inaccurate Information and Faulty Assumptions
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 3. Politcal Science: Components, Tasks, and Controversies
The Basic Structure of Political Science
The Three Major Components of Political Science
The Four Major Tasks of Political Science
Continuing Controversies in Political Science
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 4. The Physical, Social, and Cultural Environment of Politics
Propositions and Challenges
The Physical World We Live In
The Biological, Physiological, Psychological, and Social Creatures We Are
The Social Communities We Have Built
The Cultural Universe We Have Created
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
PART II. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND IDEOLOGY
CHAPTER 5. The Quest for the Good Political Life
Classical Greek Thought: The Search for Political Excellence
Christianity and the Good Political Life
The Renaissance: Niccolo Machiavelli and the Quest for a Virtuous Republic
Modern Political Thought
Contemporary Political Philosophy
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 6. Liberal Democracy
Toward a Definition of Liberal Democracy
The Ideals of Liberal Democracy
The Sources of Liberal Democracy
Liberalism, Capitalism, and Democracy
Variations on the Liberal Democratic Theme
An Assessment of Liberal Democracy
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 7. Democratic Socialism and Communism: Ideologies of the Left
Democratic Socialism
The Sources of Democratic Socialism
Democratic Socialism as Political Ideology: Pro and Con
Communism
The Sources of Communism
Communism as a Political Ideology and Philosophy: Pro and Con
The Recent Past and Future of Democratic Socialism and Communism
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
PART III. AMERICAN, COMPARATIVE, AND WORLD POLITICS
CHAPTER 8. Key Dilemmas: Political Form, Culture, and Values
Some Key Terms Defined
Patterns for Cooperation, Accommodation, and Conflict Resolution
Democratic Constitutionalism
Constitutional Features
The Values of Nations as Political Actors
Popular Values
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 9. American Politics and Government
American Political Culture
American Political Institutions
Beyond the Constitution: Citizens, Media, Parties, and Elections
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 10. Comparative Politics
Parliamentary Government
Authoritarian Government
Mixed Political Systems
Failed or Fragile States
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 11. International Politics and the Global Community
Post-World War II and Post-Cold War Challenges
Current Patterns in International Politics
Balance of Power
Domination
Multilateralism
Other Forms of Behavior: Neutrality, Nonalignment, and Isolation
Nonstate Actors
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
PART IV. POLITICAL JUDGMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY
CHAPTER 12. War and Peace in the Modern Age
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to a More Peaceful World
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 13. The Battle on Behalf of Human Rights
Clarifying the Problem
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to Securing Human Rights
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 14. The Struggle for Economic Well-Being
Defining Economic Well-Being
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to Economic Well-Being
The Critical Role of the International Community
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 15. The Imperative of Ecological Health
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to Ecological Health
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
Conclusion
A Best-Case Scenario
A Worst-Case Scenario
A Prophetic Planetary Scenario
Suggested Readings
Glossary
Photo Credits
Index
About the Authors
Preface
Introduction
Political Values
A Science of Politics
Political Wisdom
The Future of Politics and Political Science
PART I. RULES OF THE GAME
CHAPTER 1. Games Politicans Play
The Game of Politics
Wipeout: The Politics of Destruction
Lion and Fox: The Politics of the Nation-State
Civil Disobedience: The Politics of Morality
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 2. Politics and Choice
Five Important Themes
Socrates and the Moral Life: Political Obligation in Ancient Athens
Madison, the New Republic, and Federal Theory: The Struggle for Creative Breakthrough in Modern Politics
The German Citizen and the Nazi Regime: Can Modern Citizens Bear the Burden of Freedom?
John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: The Perils of Choice in the Nuclear Age
The Decision to Invade Iraq: The Perils of Inaccurate Information and Faulty Assumptions
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 3. Politcal Science: Components, Tasks, and Controversies
The Basic Structure of Political Science
The Three Major Components of Political Science
The Four Major Tasks of Political Science
Continuing Controversies in Political Science
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 4. The Physical, Social, and Cultural Environment of Politics
Propositions and Challenges
The Physical World We Live In
The Biological, Physiological, Psychological, and Social Creatures We Are
The Social Communities We Have Built
The Cultural Universe We Have Created
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
PART II. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND IDEOLOGY
CHAPTER 5. The Quest for the Good Political Life
Classical Greek Thought: The Search for Political Excellence
Christianity and the Good Political Life
The Renaissance: Niccolo Machiavelli and the Quest for a Virtuous Republic
Modern Political Thought
Contemporary Political Philosophy
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 6. Liberal Democracy
Toward a Definition of Liberal Democracy
The Ideals of Liberal Democracy
The Sources of Liberal Democracy
Liberalism, Capitalism, and Democracy
Variations on the Liberal Democratic Theme
An Assessment of Liberal Democracy
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 7. Democratic Socialism and Communism: Ideologies of the Left
Democratic Socialism
The Sources of Democratic Socialism
Democratic Socialism as Political Ideology: Pro and Con
Communism
The Sources of Communism
Communism as a Political Ideology and Philosophy: Pro and Con
The Recent Past and Future of Democratic Socialism and Communism
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
PART III. AMERICAN, COMPARATIVE, AND WORLD POLITICS
CHAPTER 8. Key Dilemmas: Political Form, Culture, and Values
Some Key Terms Defined
Patterns for Cooperation, Accommodation, and Conflict Resolution
Democratic Constitutionalism
Constitutional Features
The Values of Nations as Political Actors
Popular Values
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 9. American Politics and Government
American Political Culture
American Political Institutions
Beyond the Constitution: Citizens, Media, Parties, and Elections
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 10. Comparative Politics
Parliamentary Government
Authoritarian Government
Mixed Political Systems
Failed or Fragile States
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 11. International Politics and the Global Community
Post-World War II and Post-Cold War Challenges
Current Patterns in International Politics
Balance of Power
Domination
Multilateralism
Other Forms of Behavior: Neutrality, Nonalignment, and Isolation
Nonstate Actors
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
PART IV. POLITICAL JUDGMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY
CHAPTER 12. War and Peace in the Modern Age
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to a More Peaceful World
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 13. The Battle on Behalf of Human Rights
Clarifying the Problem
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to Securing Human Rights
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 14. The Struggle for Economic Well-Being
Defining Economic Well-Being
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to Economic Well-Being
The Critical Role of the International Community
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
CHAPTER 15. The Imperative of Ecological Health
Ethical and Empirical Factors
Alternative Approaches to Ecological Health
Conclusion
Suggested Readings
Glossary Terms
Conclusion
A Best-Case Scenario
A Worst-Case Scenario
A Prophetic Planetary Scenario
Suggested Readings
Glossary
Photo Credits
Index