Power and Choice: An Introduction to Political Science

by W. Phillips Shively, David Schultz

Overview

Power & Choice offers an in-depth look into the nuances of politics through the analysis of collective choices for a group or state through the use of power. Organized topically and using extended case examples from around the world, Power & Choice provides undergraduate students with a clear and engaging introduction to political science and comparative politics. The 16th Edition has been updated to address the issues raised by the covid-19 pandemic, as well as the impact the Trump and Biden presidencies have had so far upon the world and its democracies, including challenges in states such as Hungary where illiberal democracy and nationalism are on the rise. The authors have also included discussion of the impact of the death of George Floyd upon race relations in America, and how issues such as growing inequality are impacting politics. This edition adds examination of women’s economic development and the rising importance of LGBTQ issues globally.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538151860
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/13/2022
Edition description:	Sixteenth Edition
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	7.14(w) x 10.04(h) x 0.69(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

W. Phillips Shively is professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of The Craft of Political Research, 10th edition (2017), as well as numerous articles on elections and methods of analysis. David Schultz is Distinguished University Professor in the departments of political science, environmental studies, and legal studies at Hamline University. He is also a professor of law at the University of Minnesota. David has a JD and LLM in law, a PhD in political science, and a MS in astronomy. A three-time Fulbright scholar who has taught extensively in Europe and Asia, and the winner of the Leslie A. Whittington national award for excellence in public affairs teaching, David is the author of more than 35 books and over 200 articles on various aspects of American politics, election law, and the media and politics, and he is regularly interviewed and quoted in the local, national, and international media. His most recent books are Encyclopedia of Money in American Politics (2018) and Presidential Swing States (2018). Prior to teaching, Professor Schultz also served as a city director of code enforcement, zoning, and planning in Binghamton, NY, and worked as a housing and economic planner for a community action agency.

Table of Contents

List of Tables, Figures, and Photos List of Examples Preface Part I The Idea of Politics 1 Politics: Setting the Stage 2 Modern Ideologies and Political Philosophy Part II The State and Public Policy 3 The Modern State 4 Policies of the State 5 Economic Policy of the State 6 What Lies Behind Policy: Questions of Justice and Effectiveness Part III The Citizen and the Regime 7 Democracies and Authoritarian Systems 8 Political Culture and Political Socialization Part IV The Apparatus of Governance 9 Constitutions and the Design of Government 10 Elections 11 Parties: A Linking and Leading Mechanism in Politics 12 Structured Conflict: Interest Groups and Politics 13 Social Movements and Contentious Politics 14 National Decision-Making Institutions: Parliamentary Government 15 National Decision-Making Institutions: Presidential Government 16 Bureaucracy and the Public Sector 17 Law and the Courts Part V International Politics 18 Global Politics: Politics among States (and Others) Appendix: Principles of Political Analysis Glossary Notes Index

Editorial Reviews

Power & Choice has been my preferred textbook for introductory political science courses for years. It covers all the key themes instructors are looking for, integrating the latest academic research seamlessly with contemporary real-world examples to make political science engaging and accessible to undergraduate students.

Erica Frantz

Power and Choice is a superior choice for an introductory undergraduate textbook in political science. It helps students achieve concept fluency and make clear connections between what is taught in class and what unfolds in the political world around them.

Rosalyn Cooperman

Power and Choice is the perfect core text for introduction to political science courses with a global or comparative perspective. Rather than a country-by-country organization, it is organized by core concepts that students need to learn. Each conceptual chapter draws on essential literature in political science and provides highly accessible country cases and examples at the end. As a result, Shively has been my ‘go to’ for my introductory classes.

Amy Mazur

Power & Choice presents a rigorous and passionate analysis of politics from a comparative and global perspective. It provides clear and concise explanations on political science theories and empirics and reminds us that politics is the art of the possible. Simply the best introductory textbook on politics.

Wonik Kim

Power & Choice is the gold standard of the introductory texts available in political science.” —Noel A.D. Thompson, Tuskegee University

“Simply the best undergraduate textbook on politics.” —Wonik Kim, Louisiana State University

“A lively exploration of politics that appreciates the incredible complexity, while at the same time constructs a conceptual apparatus that allows students to explore the simplicity and beauty of politics.” —Eric Boyer, Colby-Sawyer College

From the Publisher

Power & Choice is the gold standard of the introductory texts available in political science.

Noel A.D. Thompson

A lively exploration of politics that appreciates the incredible complexity, while at the same time constructs a conceptual apparatus that allows students to explore the simplicity and beauty of politics.

Eric Boyer