Americans strongly believe in the idea that our democracy is unique—is an exception, in fact, among other advanced industrialized democracies. But exactly how and why is our political system different? Poloni-Staudinger and Wolf start with the idea that each country’s political priorities are influenced by the development of its political beliefs, political culture, and political institutions. They want to remind American students that our form of democracy is just one form of democracy. And if we examine components of our political system comparatively, we can better see and learn the ways in which our government is unique as well as see how other democracies function differently and successfully. This learning through contrast not only enriches students’ understanding of their own political system, but this comparative context has become increasingly important as students see themselves as global citizens, competing and engaging in what is truly a globalized world and workforce. Unfortunately few American government texts offer much in the way of comparison to other countries and comparative politics books don’t always situate the US in their analysis. This book fills that void with a crisply written and brief supplement. INDICE: Chapter 1: Introduction What Does it Mean to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective? Is American Democracy the Best Type of Democracy? Why is it Important to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective? What to Expect in the Following Chapters How to Use This BookChapter 2: Similarities Between The United States And Other Democracies Introduction Definition of Democracy Procedural Democracy Public Contestation (Competition) and Inclusion (Participation) Freedoms Socio-Economic Development ConclusionChapter 3: American Exceptionalism Introduction Differing Views of Governing Legitimacy Functional Explanations for American Exceptionalism Social Democracy and Liberal Democracy ConclusionChapter 4: Political Beliefs Introduction Political Culture Civic Culture Political Engagement: Political Interest Interpersonal Trust, Reciprocity, and Social Capital Political Efficacy: Free Choice & Control Over Life Distinction of American Cultural Beliefs Individualism and Economy Ideology ConclusionChapter 5: Political Institutions Introduction Majoritarian and Consociational Democracies Governing Institutions Vertical Organization of Government: Unitary, Federal & Confederal Systems National Governing Institutions The Executive The Legislative Branch Judiciary Civil Law Legal Tradition Systems Common Law Legal Tradition Systems ConclusionChapter 6: Interest Groups Introduction Interest Groups, Social Movements, and Social Movement Organizations Interest Group Life-Cycle Pluralist versus (neo)Corporatist Interest Group Arrangements Why Pluralist or Neo-Corporatist? Role of Interest Groups in United States Historically and Today Types of Groups New Social Movements How Do Groups Participate in Politics? ConclusionChapter 7: Political Parties Introduction Party History and Formation Party Formation as a Result of Democratization American Party Development – Why Aren’t Parties as Strong? The Nature of American Parties Where are the American Cleavages? Role of Parties in Government American Two-Party System Versus Other Party Systems An Americanization of Parties Elsewhere or More Party Government in US? ConclusionChapter 8: Elections, Electoral Institutions and Electoral Behavior Introduction Candidate Selection Electoral Institutions Plurality, Majority, and Proportional Representation Systems Consequences of Electoral Systems Context of Elections and Campaigns Voting Behavior: Electoral Participation Political Party Mobilization: Weak Party Organization in the U.S. Campaign Information Flow Clarity of Electoral Choice: Liberalism and Limited Government Evaluating the Consequences of the Electoral Context on Voter Participation Electoral Behavior: Determinants of Vote Choice Non-voting Behavior Consequences of Electoral Laws, Context, and Voting for Democracy ConclusionChapter 9: Conclusion
- ISBN: 978-1-4833-4435-5
- Editorial: CQ Press
- Encuadernacion: Rústica
- Páginas: 240
- Fecha Publicación: 31/03/2015
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
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