Politics, Power, and the Common Good: An Introduction to Political Science - Softcover

Mintz, Eric; Close, David; Croci, Osvaldo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 013239362X ISBN 13: 9780132393621

Publisher: Pearson Education Canada, 2008

Synopsis

POLITICS

Activity related to making and implementing policies and decisions to deal with what are generally considered to be public problems

POWER

The ability to get people, groups or states to act against their own desires or interests through coercion, inducements, or manipulation

COMMON GOOD

What is good for the political community as a whole, as well as for the general welfare of the members of the community

 

Humanity faces many challenges – reducing poverty, war, climate change, global inequality, international terrorism, environmental degradation, and the protection of human rights. Informed political actions and decisions are vital to deal with such challenges. This introduction to political science provides knowledge to help youunderstand the politics and the institutions of governing in our own country and the global political system of the 21 century. In addition you will learn about the contending perspectives that are used to that explain political problems, to examine different views on how political communities should be organized, and the values they should pursue for the betterment of the world as a whole.

About this title

Review

I found the tone and style of the first edition to be very student friendly, which was one of the reasons I adopted it for my introductory course ...I like the balanced focus of the approach and the emphasis on the notion of the common good. So many texts ... are mindlessly right wing and anti-state while others ... are relentlessly pluralist and never acknowledge broad social divisions. This text provides some debates around key issues but acknowledges the place for community and a role for government. 

-- Elizabeth Smythe, Political Science, Concordia University College of Alberta

 

I must say I’ve found Mintz’s text to be the best current Canadian text for students with little or no knowledge of the discipline, but with a clear interest in becoming better informed ... Clarity, appeal to the average student’s knowledge and needs, coverage of topics, nice writing style, general “lightness” of treatment, relative freedom from jargon. Though cognizant that conceptual clarity is important to them, one gets the feeling that the authors have made a steadfast decision to make the student the focus of their text. I really like that. -- Dr. Meir Serfaty, Department of Political Science, Brandon University

 

The layout of the book [is] another strong feature. The text boxes, tables, and even the multiple colours, were very useful. These features made the text more “exciting” for students. Student reaction to the text was quite positive. They found it easy to read and comprehend.

-- Duane Bratt, Department of Policy Studies, Mount Royal College

 

I am very satisfied with the current balance of comparative and Canadian content. This is a major strength of the book ... I already think that this edition is the best value on the market, I suspect (and hope!) that a new edition would still be better and would still rank first.

-- Dimitrios Karmis, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson Education Canada
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 013239362X
• ISBN 13: 9780132393621
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 576