Political Science Today
2nd Edition
Published on 9. August 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
360 pages
978-1-0718-4456-4 (ISBN)
Description
Political Science Today by Wendy Whitman Cobb gives students a holistic view of political science by dedicating one chapter to each area of study within the discipline. The Second Edition uses a field-based approach that allows students to sample what the major has to offer and come away with a basic understanding of how politics-any kind of politics-affects their everyday lives. The book also provides students with an overview of the skills and possibilities they'll encounter as majors, including developing critical thinking skills, conducting and consuming research, and understanding the unique career opportunities after graduation.
The book's table of contents begins with foundational tools like theories and research methods, then builds up to subfield chapters on Comparative Politics, International Relations, American Government, Political Economy, and Public Policy and Administration.
The book's table of contents begins with foundational tools like theories and research methods, then builds up to subfield chapters on Comparative Politics, International Relations, American Government, Political Economy, and Public Policy and Administration.
More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington
United States
Publishing group
SAGE Publications Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 187 mm
Weight
654 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0718-4456-4 (9781071844564)
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
Person
Wendy N. Whitman Cobb is a professor at the US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS) in Montgomery, Alabama. She earned her PhD in political science from the University of Florida following undergraduate work at the University of Central Florida. Her work focuses on institutions and public policy, particularly as it concerns space exploration policy. Before joining the faculty at SAASS, she was associate professor of political science at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. Previous books include Unbroken Government: Success and the Illusion of Failure in Policymaking, The Politics of Cancer: Malignant Indifference, and Privatizing Peace: How Commerce Can Reduce Conflict in Space.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1: What Is Political Science?
Differences between Politics and Political Science
History
Is Political Science a Science?
Major Concepts of Political Science
Chapter 2: Research Methods
Questions and Answers
Quantitative Methods
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Political Science
Chapter 3: Political Theory
The Ancients to the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment
Challenges to Liberalism
Contemporary Philosophy
The State of Political Theory Today
Part II: Institutions and Behavior
Chapter 4: Constitutions, Law, and Justice
Characteristics of Constitutions
Systems of Law
The Court System
Chapter 5: Electoral and Party Systems
Parliamentary Systems
Presidential Systems
Purpose of Political Parties
Duverger's Law
Chapter 6: Political Communications
Roles of the Media
Shaping and Making the News
Media around the World
The Internet, Social Media, and Democracy
Chapter 7: Social Movements and Political Change
Social Movements
The Collective Action Problem
The Impact of Social Movements
Modern Social Movements
Part III: Subfields
Chapter 8: American Politics
Congress
The Presidency
The Courts
Political Behavior
Chapter 9: Comparative Politics
The Comparative Method
The State
Democracy
Globalization
Communism and Postcommunism
Authoritarianism
Development and Developing Countries
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
Chapter 10: International Relations
Origins of International Relations Theory
Realism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Feminism
War and Peace
Chapter 11: Political Economy
What Does Politics Have to Do with the Economy?
Types of Economic Systems
Government Involvement and Economic Performance
International Political Economy
Comparative Political Economy
Chapter 12: Public Policy and Public Administration
Stages of the Policymaking Process
Patterns of Policy Change
Policy Actors and Types of Policies
Public Administration
Glossary
Notes
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1: What Is Political Science?
Differences between Politics and Political Science
History
Is Political Science a Science?
Major Concepts of Political Science
Chapter 2: Research Methods
Questions and Answers
Quantitative Methods
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Political Science
Chapter 3: Political Theory
The Ancients to the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment
Challenges to Liberalism
Contemporary Philosophy
The State of Political Theory Today
Part II: Institutions and Behavior
Chapter 4: Constitutions, Law, and Justice
Characteristics of Constitutions
Systems of Law
The Court System
Chapter 5: Electoral and Party Systems
Parliamentary Systems
Presidential Systems
Purpose of Political Parties
Duverger's Law
Chapter 6: Political Communications
Roles of the Media
Shaping and Making the News
Media around the World
The Internet, Social Media, and Democracy
Chapter 7: Social Movements and Political Change
Social Movements
The Collective Action Problem
The Impact of Social Movements
Modern Social Movements
Part III: Subfields
Chapter 8: American Politics
Congress
The Presidency
The Courts
Political Behavior
Chapter 9: Comparative Politics
The Comparative Method
The State
Democracy
Globalization
Communism and Postcommunism
Authoritarianism
Development and Developing Countries
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
Chapter 10: International Relations
Origins of International Relations Theory
Realism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Feminism
War and Peace
Chapter 11: Political Economy
What Does Politics Have to Do with the Economy?
Types of Economic Systems
Government Involvement and Economic Performance
International Political Economy
Comparative Political Economy
Chapter 12: Public Policy and Public Administration
Stages of the Policymaking Process
Patterns of Policy Change
Policy Actors and Types of Policies
Public Administration
Glossary
Notes
Index