Investigating American Democracy: Readings on Core Questions - Softcover

Lindsay, Thomas K.; Glenn, Gary D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195392116 ISBN 13: 9780195392111

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2012

Synopsis

"The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave."--Thomas Jefferson

From its very beginning, American government has been a continuously evolving and contentious enterprise defined by profound questions like "Who has the right to vote, on what, and why?" "Why does American democracy separate the powers of government?" and "What do our persistent debates over religion, citizenship, and law reveal about the nature of American democracy?"

Addressing these and five other vital questions, Investigating American Democracy: Readings on Core Questions is ideal for a variety of courses in American politics. Each chapter opens with a core question that leads into readings reflecting conflicting views on that question. This "point-counterpoint" approach helps students to critically evaluate and compare the readings and to form their own opinions on each issue.

Ranging from the founding of the country to the present day, the selections include writings and speeches from such illustrious historical figures as Thomas Jefferson, Alexis de Tocqueville, Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jane Addams, and Franklin D. Roosevelt alongside work from more contemporary political leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr., Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, John Ashcroft (Bush administration Patriot Act), and Barack Obama. Considerable sections of important Supreme Court opinions are also included. The editors provide "Guiding Questions" for each reading and extensive historical background for each chapter and reading. An Instructor's Manual containing test-bank questions is available to adopters.

About this title

About the Author

Thomas K. Lindsay is Former Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Gary D. Glenn is Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Northern Illinois University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0195392116
• ISBN 13: 9780195392111
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 348