Synopses & Reviews
en•dur•ing adj. 1. long-lasting; continuing; durable. 2. having forbearance; patient. Does it seem as though Congress and the race for the Presidency are more combative and paralyzed than ever before? Is the new media revolution really new? Will federalism survive the polarizing immigration debate? The binding message of THE ENDURING DEMOCRACY is "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Authors Ken Dautrich and David Yalof remind readers that history repeats itself--that the huge debates and issues of our time have played out in earlier times, yet we are still here. . . due to the "enduring" nature of American democracy. Placing American government in a historical perspective provides students with an understanding of how our democracy has endured over time and helps them gain greater appreciation for both its flaws and successes. This new edition is shorter, more focused on the "Then and Now" narrative in each chapter, and contains more critical thinking and quizzing designed to help students better grasp the relevance of the subject.
Review
". . . a text book that provides a strong foundation [for] students, which will also help them understand concepts through the up to date information and examples provided within each chapters. In addition the text provides both historical background information as well as global perspectives and examples. The text is not biased and will provide students with many aspects to consider while studying government and politics."
Review
"This is an excellent text for instructors who are looking to provide historical context to their introductory American Government classes. Students often fail to see the relevance of history to their lives. This text shows that our contemporary governmental institutions are rooted in historical development that shapes the nature of our democracy. This is shown through case studies that highlight both how processes and institutions evolve and how they also retain much of their same character over time. The clear, conversational style of writing makes this an ideal addition to introductory classes aimed at non-political science majors."
Review
"I think the book's writing style is just right for our students. I found the text easy to read and the flow of material adequate to keep the reader's interest."
Review
"This text is modern, includes excellent features, and should be used on our campus!"
Synopsis
THE ENDURING DEMOCRACY offers a uniquely current and comprehensive introduction to American government and politics explored through an historical lens. Indeed, a theme of this book is "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
About the Author
Professor Kenneth Dautrich (Ph.D., Rutgers University) teaches public opinion and public policy in the Department of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on public opinion about the news media and free expression rights. He has authored a number of books and articles including THE FUTURE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT (Roman and Littlefield, 2008), THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE MEDIA IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION (Cambridge University Press, 2003), and HOW THE NEWS MEDIA FAIL THE AMERICAN VOTER (Columbia University Press, 1999). He is currently finishing a book entitled THE PARADOX OF PUBLIC OPINION (Oxford University Press). Dautrich has conducted many public polls on media, voting, and public policy issues for organizations such as Time Magazine, The Freedom Forum, and a variety of state and federal government agencies. He has been a research fellow at The Freedom Forum's Media Studies Center and Rutgers University's Heldrich Center. He has also served as policy advisor for Governor Jodi Rell. His research on public attitudes about the First Amendment has been supported by the Media Studies Center and the Knight Foundation. David A. Yalof (Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University; B.A. and J.D., University of Virginia) is Professor and Department Head of Political Science at the University of Connecticut. His expertise and teaching and research interests include constitutional law, judicial politics, and the presidency. Professor Yalof is the author of PURSUIT OF JUSTICES: PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS AND THE SELECTION OF SUPREME COURT NOMINEES, winner of the American Political Science Association's Richard E. Neustadt Prize for the Best Book on the Presidency. He is also the co-author of THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE MEDIA IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION (with Kenneth Dautrich) and THE FUTURE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT: THE DIGITAL MEDIA, CIVIC EDUCATION, AND FREE EXPRESSION RIGHTS IN AMERICA'S HIGH SCHOOLS (also with Ken Dautrich). Dr. Yalof has written numerous articles for publications such as Political Research Quarterly, Judicature, and Constitutional Commentary. His most recent work, PROSECUTION AMONG FRIENDS: PRESIDENTS, ATTORNEYS GENERAL, AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH WRONGDOING was published by the Texas A and M University Press. He is currently working on a book-length project examining the role that constitutional precedents played in the recent debate over health care reform.
Table of Contents
1. The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same. 2. The Founding and the Constitution. 3. Federalism. 4. Civil Liberties. 5. Civil Rights, Equality, and Social Movements. 6. Congress. 7. The Presidency. 8. The Bureaucracy. 9. The Judiciary. 10. Public Opinion. 11. Interest Groups. 12. The Media and Politics. 13. Political Parties and Voting. 14. Campaigns and Elections. 15. Domestic Policy. 16. Foreign Policy.