This book enables students to see how the subfields of political science converge around a set of crucial questions: can we as citizens and students articulate and defend a view of the good political life and its guiding political values? Can we bring political wisdom to bear on judgments about politics and public issues? Can we develop a science of politics to help us understand significant political phenomena—the empirical realities of politics?  The book equips students with the tools they need to explore the impact of philosophy and ideology, to recognize major forms of government, to evaluate empirical findings, and to understand how policy issues directly affect people’s lives. This Fifth Edition includes a brand new chapter on American Politics and Government and updated content on recent international events throughout. 

Table of Contents:
Part I: Rules of the Game Chapter 1: Games Politicians Play The Game of Politics Wipeout: The Politics of Destruction Lion and Fox: The Politics of the Nation-State Civil Disobedience: The Politics of Morality Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary of Terms Chapter 2: Politics and Choice Five Important Themes Socrates and the Moral Life: Political Obligation in Ancient Athens Madison, the New Republic, and Federal Theory: The Struggle for Creative Breakthrough in Modern Politics The German Citizen and the Nazi Regime: Can Modern Citizens Bear the Burden of Freedom? John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: The Perils of Choice in the Nuclear Age The Decision to Invade Iraq: The Perils of Inaccurate Information and Faulty Assumptions Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary of Terms Chapter 3: Political Science: Components and Controversies The Basic Structure of Political Science The Three Major Components of Political Science The Four Major Tasks of Political Science Continuing Controversies in Political Science Conclusion Suggested Reading Glossary Terms Chapter 4: The Physical, Social, and Cultural Envirionment of Politics Propositions and Challenges The Physical World We Live In The Biological, Physiological, Psychological, and Social Creatures We Are The Social Communities We Have Built The Cultural Universe We Have Created Conclusion Suggested Reading Glossary Terms Part II: Political Philosophy and Ideology Chapter 5: The Quest for the Good Political Life Classical Greek Thought: The Search for Political Excellence Christianity and the Good Political Life The Renaissance: Niccolo Machiavelli and the Quest for a Virtuous Republic Modern Political Thought Contemporary Political Philosophy Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Chapter 6: Liberal Democracy Toward a Definition of Liberal Democracy The Ideals of Liberal Democracy The Sources of Liberal Democracy Liberalism, Capitalism, and Democracy Variations on the Liberal Democratic Theme An Assessment of Liberal Democracy Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Chapter 7: Democratic Socialism and Communism: Ideologies of the Left Democratic Socialism The Sources of Democratic Socialism Democratic Socialism as Political Ideology: Pro and Con Communism The Sources of Communism Communism as a Political Ideology and Philosophy: Pro and Con The Recent Past and Future of Democratic Socialism and Communism Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Part III: American, Comparative and World Politics Chapter 8: Key Dilemmas: Political Form, Culture and Values Some Key Terms Defined Patterns For Cooperation, Accommodation, and Conflict Resolution Democratic Constitutionalism Constitutional Features The Values of Nations as Political Actors Popular Values Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary of Terms Chapter 9: American Politics and Government American Political Culture American Political Institutions Beyond the Constitution: Citizens, Media, Parties and Elections Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Chapter 10: Comparative Politics Parliamentary Government Authoritarian Government Mixed Political Systems Failed or Fragile States Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Chapter 11: International Politics and the Global Community Post-World War II and Post-Cold War Challenges Current Patterns in International Politics Balance of Power Domination Multilateralism Other Forms of Behavior: Neutrality, Nonalignment, and Isolation Nonstate Actors Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Part IV: Political Judgment and Public Policy Chapter 12: War and Peace in the Modern Age Ethical and Empirical Factors Alternative Approaches to a More Peaceful World Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Chapter 13: The Battle on Behalf of Human Rights Clarifying the Problem Ethical and Empirical Factors Alternative Approaches to Securing Human Rights Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Chapter 14: The Struggle for Economic Well-Being Defining Economic Well-Being Ethical and Empirical Factors Alternative Approaches to Economic Well-Being The Critical Role of the International Community Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms Chapter 15: The Imperative of Ecological Health Ethical and Empirical Factors Alternative Approaches to Ecological Health Conclusion Suggested Readings Glossary Terms