Overview

For undergraduate courses at colleges and universities in Texas for American and Texas Government Courses.   Approaching Democracy is the American Government book with a clear and compelling central theme, designed to elevate student interest.    Now in a Texas Edition!    Approaching Democracy addresses the evolving nature of the American experiment in democratic government.  It teaches students the theory and the basics of American political science, the political history of this nation, and provides the critical thinking skills needed to analyze these evolving relationships.  This new Teaching and Learning Classroom (TLC) California edition introduces features that incorporates more “student empowerment” tools to reinforce how American Government is relevant to students’ lives today.   Larry Berman and Bruce Allen Murphy, long-time teachers of the introductory American Political science course in both large and small public and private universities, set out to write a book that offers a clear theme – one that is even more relevant now than it was when it was first presented – in a highly readable, easy-to-understand format.  Both authors enjoy teaching and are actively engaged in new methods of engaging students and empowering them to participate in political discourse  

Full Product Details

Author:   Larry A Berman ,  Bruce Allen Murphy ,  L. Tucker Gibson ,  Clay Robison
Publisher:   Pearson Education (US)
Imprint:   Pearson
Edition:   5th edition
Dimensions:   Width: 21.60cm , Height: 2.90cm , Length: 27.90cm
Weight:   1.941kg
ISBN:  

9780132321945

ISBN 10:   0132321947
Pages:   944
Publication Date:   16 April 2007
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

Part I Foundations of American Democracy 1 APPROACHING DEMOCRACY Case Study: Si Se Puede- It Can Be Done Introduction: Democracy as an Evolutionary Process Forming a Picture of Democracy The Roots of Democracy The Ideals of Democracy The Elements of Democracy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 2 THE FOUNDING AND THE CONSTITUTION Case Study: The Senate Almost Goes Nuclear Introduction: The Road to Democracy The Seeds of American Democracy First Moves Toward a Union Rebellion: Causes and Consequences Revolution and the Stirrings of a New Government The First New Government: A Confederation of States The Need for a More Perfect Union The Constitutional Convention The Miracle: Results of the Convention Ratification: The Battle for the Constitution Updating the Constitution The Gettysburg Address and America's Approach to Democracy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings The Constitution of the United States 3 FEDERALISM Case Study: From Wheat to Weed Introduction: Federalism and Democracy Federalism Defined Federalism in the Constitution The Division of Powers The Development of Federalism Balancing Federal-State Relations: Policy Innovation and Protecting Rights Presidents and Federalism The Rehnquist Court and the Future of Federalism Federalism and Approaching Democracy In the 21st Century Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings Visualizing Democracy From Cesar Chavez to Antonio Villaraigosa 000 Part II Institutions of American Democracy 4 CONGRESS Case Study: Negotiating the Legislative Labyrinth Introduction: Congress and Democracy The Structure and Powers of Congress The Members of Congress How Congress Organizes Itself Congress in Session How a Bill Becomes a Law Additional Functions of Congress The Republican Revolution of 1994 and Beyond? Congress Toward the 2006 Election Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 5 THE PRESIDENCY Case Study: The Bush Presidency at Second Term Introduction: The Presidency and Democracy The Constitutional Design The Functional Roles of the President Two Views of Executive Power Expanding Presidential Power: Moving Beyond the Constitution The Institutionalized Presidency Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 6 THE JUDICIARY Case Study: Changing of the Guard Introduction: The Courts and Democracy The Origins and Development of Judicial Power The Organization of the American Court System Court Appointments: The Process and the Politics How the Supreme Court Operates Analyzing Supreme Court Decisions Implementing Supreme Court Decisions The Court's Independence in Approaching Democracy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 7 THE BUREAUCRACY Case Study: The Department of Homeland Security and the War on Terrorism Introduction: Bureaucracy and Democracy Background on the Bureaucracy Meet the Bureaucracy Bureaucratic Accountability What the Public Thinks of the Bureaucracy Reforming the Bureaucracy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings Visualizing Democracy Presidential Wars, Crises and their Challenge to Democracy 000 Part III Process of American Democracy 8 PUBLIC OPINION Case Study: Landon Defeats Roosevelt Introduction: Public Opinion and Democracy What Is Public Opinion? Measuring Public Opinion Political Socialization Social Variables that Influence Opinion Formation American Political Culture The State of American Public Opinion From Public Opinion to Public Policy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 9 POLITICAL PARTIES Case Study: Evangelicals and the 2004 Election Introduction: Political Parties and Democracy A Brief History of the American Party System Red v. Blue : The Current Balanced Political Party System Functions of American Political Parties Party Organization Nominating a President: Parties and Elections Why a Two-Party System? Minor Parties The Party in Government Political Parties Toward the 2008 Election Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 10 PARTICIPATION, VOTING, AND ELECTIONS Case Study: The Motor-Voter Law, 1995-2006 Introduction: Political Participation and Democracy Who Participates? A Brief History of Voting in the United States Voting Voting Choice Other Forms of Political Participation Congressional Elections Presidential Elections Money and Elections Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 11 INTEREST GROUPS Case Study: Supreme Cyber-Battle Introduction: Interest Groups and Democracy Interest Groups: A Tradition in American Politics Functions of Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups Characteristics of Interest Groups Interest Group Strategies Political Action Committees Regulation of Interest Groups Assessing the Impact of Interest Groups Growth of the Evangelical Christian Lobbying Movement Lobbying in the 21st Century Toward the 2006 Election: Interest Groups and 527s Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 12 THE MEDIA Case Study: A New Web of Influence: Bloggers Rewrite the Rules of Journalism Introduction: The Media and Democracy The Emergence of the Media Functions of the Media Limits on Media Freedom Ideological Bias and Media Control The Media and Elections Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings Visualizing Democracy Straddling the Red State/Blue State Divide 000 Part IV Liberties and Rights in American Democracy 13 CIVIL LIBERTIES Case Study: Reconsidering the Patriot Act Introduction: Civil Liberties and Democracy Defining and Examining Civil Liberties and Civil Rights The Dawn of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in America A History of the Application of Civil Liberties to the States Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press The Rights of Defendants The Expanding Nature of Implied Rights Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 14 CIVIL RIGHTS AND POLITICAL EQUALITY Case Study: Divided We Stand: Whither Affirmative Action? Introduction: Civil Rights and Democracy Establishing Constitutional Equality Creating Legal Segregation Establishing Legal Equality The Civil Rights Movement Affirmative Action Women's Rights Civil Rights and Other Minorities Emerging Minority Groups Seek Prominence Civil Rights and the War on Terrorism Civil Rights and Approaching Democracy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings Visualizing Democracy Minority Rights and Civil Liberties in America 000 Part V Policy Making in American Democracy 15 DOMESTIC AND ECONOMIC POLICY Case Study: The First Major Achievement of a New Era Introduction: Public and Economic Policy and Democracy The Policy-Making Process Getting onto the Public Agenda Regulatory Policy Social Welfare Policy Economic Policy The Goals of Economic Policy The Politics of the Federal Budget Taxing Spending The Politics of International Economic Policy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings 16 FOREIGN POLICY Case Study: From Operation Enduring Freedom to Operation Iraqi Freedom Introduction: Foreign Policy and Democracy An Overview of American Foreign Policy The Constitution and Foreign Policy The Foreign Policy Bureaucracy Democratic Checks on Foreign Policy Summary Review Questions Key Terms Suggested Readings Visualizing Democracy Living on Alert Since 9/11 000 Part VI Texas Politics Chapter 17 The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Case Study Decades of Change and Challenge The Political Culture of Texas Texas Myths The People of Texas Politics, Race, and Ethnicity The Political Implications of Demographics The Economy of Texas Economic Regions of Texas Transnational Regionalism Summary /Key Terms / Suggested Readings Chapter 18 The Texas Constitution Case Study The Constitutional Legacy General Principles of the Texas Constitution Weaknesses and Criticisms of the Constitution of 1876 Constitutional Change and Adaptation Constitutional Restraints and the Ability to Govern Summary /Key Terms /Suggested Readings Chapter 19 Interest Groups, Political Parties, and Elections in Texas Case Study The Power of Interest Groups Pluralism or Elitism? Dominant Interest Groups in Texas The Development of a Two-Party System in Texas Changing Patterns of Party Support and Identification The Party Organization Parties and Government Minorities and Political Participation Political Gains by Minorities and Women Elections in Texas Campaign Finances Summary /Key Terms /Suggested Readings Chapter 20 The Texas Legislature Case Study The Texas Legislature: A Time of Change Legislative Functions Institutionalization of the Texas Legislature The Organization and Composition of the Texas Legislature Representation and Redistricting Legislative Leadership The Committee System Rules and Procedures The Emerging Party System Other Legislative Caucuses Legislators and Their Constituents Legislative Decision Making The Development of Legislative Staff Legislative Ethics and Reforms Summary /Key Terms /Suggested Readings Chapter 21 The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Case Study A Fragmented Government The Structure of the Plural Executive The Governor Other Offices of the Executive Branch Elected Boards and Commissions The Texas Bureaucracy The Growth of Government in Texas Bureaucrats and Public Policy Strategies for Controlling the Bureaucracy Summary /Key Terms /Suggested Readings Chapter 22 The Texas Judiciary Case Study The Power of the Courts in Texas The State Courts in the Federal System The Legal Framework of the Judicial System The Structure of the Texas Court System The Jury System Judicial Procedures and Decision Making Judicial Concerns and Controversies Crime and Punishment The Politics of Criminal Justice Increased Policy Role of the State Courts Summary / Key Terms /Suggested Readings Chapter 23 Local Government in Texas: Cities, Towns, Counties, and Special Districts Case Study The Legacy of Local Government Local Governments in the Texas Political System Municipal Government in Texas Forms of City Government in Texas Municipal Election Systems City Revenues and Expenditures Urban Problems in Texas County Government in Texas Criticisms of County Government Special Districts in Texas Independent School Districts Councils of Government Solutions to the Problems of Local Government Summary / Key Terms /Suggested Readings

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