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Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Science, 3rd Edition

Kevin L. Dooley, Joseph Patten

Copyright 2021
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Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Science 3rd Edition by Kevin L. Dooley/Joseph Patten

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Overview
Meet the Authors
What's New
Features
Table of Contents
Pricing

Overview

With its foundational approach to learning, Dooley/Patten's WHY POLITICS MATTERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE, 3rd Edition, shows students the "big picture" as it explores political theory, comparative politics, the U.S. government and international relations. The authors combine theory and practice and use current, global examples to illustrate why politics is important to readers -- and explain how they can get involved. In-depth analyses of the current state of global affairs include the rise of populism, nationalism, Brexit, the Trump presidency, U.S. relations with North Korea and China, the "pink wave" in the 2018 Congressional midterms, the impact of climate change on international relations and more. In addition, the MindTap digital learning solution gives you complete control of your course and enables your students to learn on their own terms.

Meet the Authors

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Kevin L. Dooley

Kevin L. Dooley, Ph.D., is an associate professor of political science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Since joining the faculty in 2003, he has taught comparative politics, ethics in international relations, American foreign policy, and early and modern political theory courses. He received his doctorate from Rutgers University in 2004. Dr. Dooley's primary research interests include the role that the social contract played in the evolution of democracy, globalization, nationalism and the erosion of democratic norms in Central and East Europe. In addition to numerous articles, he is the author of POLITICS STILL MATTERS: GLOBALIZATION, GOVERNANCE, AND THE REVIVAL OF REGIONAL MINORITIES (2008); ALLEGORIES AND METAPHORS IN EARLY POLITICAL THOUGHT: FROM PLATO TO MACHIAVELLI (2018); and STATES OF NATURE AND SOCIAL CONTRACTS (2021). Dr. Dooley and his wife, Lauren, live in Brick, New Jersey, with their two children, Jack and Megan.

Joseph Patten

Joseph N. Patten, Ph.D., is a professor of political science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Since joining the Monmouth faculty in 2002, he has taught courses in American politics and public policy. He currently serves as the faculty advisor to Monmouth University’s policy debate team and as the university liaison to the Washington Center Internship program. He received Monmouth's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2009. Prior to joining the faculty in 2002, he served as an associate professor of political science at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa from 1996-2002. He received his doctorate in political science from West Virginia University in 1996. He is the co-author of the book entitled BAIT AND SWITCH: HOW STUDENT LOAN DEBT STIFLES SOCIAL MOBILITY (Springs Publishers, 2023). He also co-authored a number of articles and book chapters on the American Congress, super PACs and policy debate. He and his wife, Veena, live in Howell, New Jersey, with their two children, Nikhil and Jaya.

What's New

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Thoroughly updated, the Third Edition includes increased coverage on the role of women in politics and the potential existence of a "gender penalty" and a "pink wave" in the 2018 Congressional midterm elections.
New analysis on climate change examines its impact on international relations.
The role of racial and ethnic identity politics in voting behavior is explored in more depth and updated with new information.
Expanded coverage of the political behavior of young people in the United States and around the world helps readers see the important role they play in the political process.
Updated discussions on the impact of populism analyzes how it is challenging the democratic status quo in a comparative context. Coverage includes examples from the United States and across the globe.
For the first time, MindTap, an online learning solution built to improve critical thinking skills, is available with this title.

Features

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Engaging, accessible and extremely student friendly, WHY POLITICS MATTERS is written with a lively, conversational style complemented by a bold, full-color design packed with photographs, maps and other illustrations.
Organized to touch on each of the discipline's sub-fields, the text equips students with a strong foundation through insightful discussions defining politics and political science (Part 1) as well as ideology and participation (Part 2). Students build on these lessons by comparing systems in Part 3 (Comparative Politics) and learning how these world systems interact in Part 4 (International Relations).
"Questions to Consider before Reading this Chapter" open every chapter, serving as learning objectives that focus students on key concepts.
Helping students put what they learn into real-world context, "Theory and Practice" features demonstrate how political thought directly influences modern-day situations, institutions and policies.
"Why Politics Matters to You!" features show students how politics and government impact their lives as well as how they can get involved.
Critical thinking questions appear at the end of every boxed feature and within the narrative to spark lively class discussions, engage readers and encourage learners to explore chapter concepts further.
Visual timelines organize important historical events, political works and the lives of political thinkers in each chapter -- illustrating how text topics are connected.
A marginal glossary defines key terms as students read, while lists of Key Terms and Key People at the end of every chapter help them review what they've learned.

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1. Why Politics Matters.
Part I: POLITICAL THEORY.
2. Ancient Political Theory.
3. Modern Political Theory.
Part II: COMPARING SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT.
4. The American Government.
5. Nationalism and Populism in the United States and Abroad.
6. Authoritarian Systems of Government.
7. Democratic Systems of Government.
Part III: COMPARATIVE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS.
8. Comparing Legislatures.
9. Comparing Executives.
10. Comparing Judiciaries.
Part IV: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
11. Understanding International Relations: Terms and Theories.
12. War, Diplomacy, and the Beginning of International Relations.
13. Competing Visions for the Future of International Relations.
Conclusion.