Highlights
Balance of Classic and Contemporary Readings
Every chapter includes both classic and contemporary readings. Thirty-six of the eighty-four readings are new to this edition, covering current issues such as the 2004 Election, The 9-11 Commision Report, Health Care reform, and the war in Iraq.
Scholarly and Popular Sources
Popular yet serious journals (such as The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, The New Republic, The Economist, The National Review, The National Interest, Newsweek, and the Washington Post) are the source for roughly half of the selections, while the remaining selections come from academic journals and books.
A Blend of Long and Short Pieces
Both long and short readings are included, with an average span of seven pages, an optimal length for an accessible yet challenging piece.
Debate Format
Each chapter includes one "Debate" section—two or more readings exploring different sides of important issues such as racial profiling, campaign finance reform, the role of PACs in the political process, and the role of the government in the economy.
Headnotes and Questions for Discussion
An extensive headnote precedes each selection, explaining the significance of the piece and its pertinence to the course. Each reading also concludes with several discussion questions, encouraging the student to consider the central issues of the piece.
Copyright © 2005, W. W. Norton & Company. All rights reserved.
XHTML, CSS, 508