Politics in a Changing World

Description

Providing a foundation for a comparative understanding of political life, POLITICS IN A CHANGING WORLD includes in-depth chapters on political science concepts (ideology, political culture, interest groups, governmental institutions, parties) followed by a series of brief country studies. The concepts and country studies help students acquire a better understanding of the actors and institutions that play a part in diverse political systems, how and why they act in relation to one another, and what their actions mean for the political system and its citizens. The Seventh Edition is thoroughly updated throughout, including coverage of the global economic crisis, the 2012 United States election, the Conservative Party-Liberal Democratic Party coalition and the victory of a new Conservative Prime Minister in Great Britain, and the democratic upheavals in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world. Cover Title Statement Copyright Contents Preface About the Authors Part I: Fundamentals Ch 1: Politics, Government, and Political Science Introduction Politics and Government Defined Government Functions Kinds of Governments The Stakes of Politics Politics in a Changing World Conclusion: Why Study Political Science? Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 2: Ideologies: Images of Political Life Introduction Liberalism and Conservatism Capitalism Marxism Socialism Other Ideologies Conclusion: Ideology Shapes Political Community and Political Conflict Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Part II: Political Behavior Ch 3: Political Culture and Socialization Introduction Political Culture: Origins of the Concept Agents of Political Socialization Classifying Political Cultures The Evolution of Political Cultures Conclusion: The Utility of Political Culture Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 4: Public Opinion and Elections Introduction Influences on Public Opinion and Voting Choice Voter Turnout The Electoral Process and Campaign Money Electoral Systems Public Opinion Polling Conclusion: Elections and Public Opinion—The People’s Voice? Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 5: Political Parties Introduction What Are Political Parties? The Functions of Political Parties The Origins of Political Parties Party Systems Types of Political Parties Conclusion: Parties in a Changing World Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 6: Interest Groups Introduction Interest Groups: What They Are and How They Work The Power of Interest Groups The Growth of Interest Groups How Interest Groups Are Formed Conclusion: Interest Groups—A Challenge for Democracy? Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Part III: Political Institutions Ch 7: Legislative Institutions Introduction Lawmaking Legislatures: Features, Functions, and Structure Representation Party Responsibility and Legislative Behavior The Changing Role of Modern Legislatures Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 8: Executive Institutions, Political Leadership, and Bureaucracy Introduction The Functions of Executive Institutions Kinds of Executive Institutions Limits on Executive Power Approaches to Executive Leadership Bureaucratic Institutions What Is Bureaucracy? Bureaucratic Functions The Growth of Bureaucracy Bureaucracy Evaluated Bureaucracy and Democracy Can Bureaucracy Be Improved? Executives and Bureaucracies—From Policy Leadership to Policy Implementation Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 9: Judicial Institutions Introduction Judicial Functions Justice and the Political System Kinds of Law Judicial Institutions: Structure and Design Judicial Decisions and Public Policy Perspectives on Judicial Policymaking Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Part IV: Politics in Selected Nations Ch 10: U.S. Government: The Dilemmas of Democracy Introduction The Founding Period Governmental Institutions Participation in U.S. Politics U.S. Politics: Prospects and Challenges Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 11: Great Britain: A Traditional Democracy The Relevance of British Politics Contemporary British Society and Political Culture Political Parties and Voting Interest Groups The Structure of Government Publc Policy and The British Economy Conclusion: Great Britain in the Twenty-First Century Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 12: Russia: From Authoritarianism to Democracy and Back The Relevance of the Russian Experience Russia and the Former Soviet Republics The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism The Birth of a New Political System Restructuring the Economy Russia in the Early Twenty-First Century and Beyond The Concentration of Political Power Conclusion: The Russian Experience with Democratization Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 13: China: Searching for a New Vision Introduction The Relevance of Chinese Politics The Chinese Revolution and Its Origins The Evolution of Chinese Politics and Society Reforming the Chinese Economy China’s Political System Conclusion: China’s Uncertain Future Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 14: The Politics of Developing Nations Introduction The Meaning of Underdevelopment Theories of Underdevelopment and Development Sources of Political Conflict Problems of Political Participation Women in Third World Society and Politics Third World Political Institutions Conclusion: Recent Developments and Future Trends Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 15: Mexico: The Birth Pangs of Democracy Introduction The Relevance of Mexican Politics Mexico’s Formative Years and the Legacy of the Mexican Revolution The Post Revolutionary Order The Making of a Modern Economy The Struggle for Political Development Conclusion: A Developing Democracy Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Part V: International Relations Ch 16: Approaches to International Relations Introduction International Relations Versus Domestic Politics Idealists and Realists War and International Relations Foreign Policy Decision Making International Political Economy International Law and Organization Ethics and International Relations Conclusion: War, Trade, Foreign Policy, and the Stakes of International Politics Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Ch 17: A Changing World Order Introduction From the End of the Cold War to the Beginning of an Uncertain Future Policing Trouble Spots: A New World Order or a World without Order? The Changing Nature of the International Arms Race Current Trends in World Trade: Economic Unification and Beyond North–South Relations Protecting the Environment Human Rights Women’s Rights International Terrorism Conclusion: The Changing Face of International Relations Key Terms and Concepts Discussion Questions Notes Glossary Index