Longman / Prentice Hall

Political Science

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Which Side Are You On?: An Introduction to Politics
Stephen R. Shalom, William Paterson University

ISBN-10: 0205280889
ISBN-13: 9780205280889

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2003
Format: Paper; 624 pp
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Aiming to put the “politics” back in political science, this new text emphasizes issues and debates in the context of the major ideologies, demonstrating the connection between political science and the issues that matter in our lives.

Because politics—the political issues of the day—are what draw most people to the study of political science, Shalom's new text emphasizes the key issues and ideas in the political world to capture student interest and to help them think like political scientists. Which Side Are You On? was written with the belief that learning about politics is not a matter of being told the “truth” by a text or a scholar, but rather involves examining conflicting points of view. The text, therefore, presents each topic in the introductory course in terms of different perspectives and various ideologies, and asks students to think through these views.

Which Side Are You On? begins with an exposition of the major political ideologies, with separate chapters devoted to conservatism, liberalism and democratic socialism. These ideologies then form the framework for the rest of the book: as each topic is addressed—from civil liberties to welfare policy to globalization—the reader is given the necessary factual information and then shown how these topics are contestable and are embedded in conflicting world views.

  • Allows students to make up their own minds. The book has no “political line” but provides arguments from varying points of view.
  • Includes “Case Studies” with critical thinking questions throughout the text. These in-depth, real-world case studies make concepts concrete for students and enable them to apply what they've learned.
  • Makes more use of political cartoons than any comparable text, further enlivening the book and engages students in the material.
  • Listings of “Additional Sources”—both print and web—provided at the end of each chapter give students a helpful launching point for further study and exploration.
  • “Review Questions” at the end of each chapter, reinforce concepts before students move on to the next chapter.
  • The text is divided into five main parts: “Thinking About Politics” introduces ideologies; “Governing” covers institutions and structures, representation, the sources of political belief, and civil liberties; “Political Economy” discusses the relation between the government and economy, poverty and welfare, and taxation; “Social Policy” discusses abortion, same-sex marriage, racism, sexism, and affirmative action; and “International Relations” deals with foreign policy and the global economy.
  • Gives prominent attention to issues of race, gender and sexual orientation throughout the book, but especially Chapters 14 and 15. Questions of gender, for example, figure prominently in discussions about abortion, international development, crime, and welfare. If controversies regarding racism and sexism permeate everyday life, they also need to infuse a political science text.

I. INTRODUCTION.

 1. Overview.

II. THINKING ABOUT POLITICS.

 2. Ideology.

 3. Conservatism.

 4. Liberalism.

 5. Democratic Socialism.

 6. Other Ideologies.

III. GOVERNING.

 7. The Institutions and Structures of Politics.

 8. Representation.

 9. Where Do Political Beliefs Come From?

10. Civil Liberties.

IV. POLITICAL ECONOMY.

11. Government and the Economy.

12. Poverty, Inequality, and Welfare.

13. Taxation.

V. SOCIAL POLICY.

14. Social Issues.

15. Racism, Sexism, and Affirmative Action.

16. Crime and Punishment.

VI. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

17. Foreign Policy: Sovereignty and Security.

18. The Global Economy.

For Introduction to Political Science


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