Political Science Today

Second Edition

Wendy N. Whitman Cobb - The United States Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies

Available with:

Courses:
Introduction to Political Science

June 2023 | 360 pages | CQ Press

Political Science Today by Wendy Whitman Cobb gives students a holistic view of political science by dedicating one chapter to each area of study within the discipline. The Second Edition uses a field-based approach that allows students to sample what the major has to offer and come away with a basic understanding of how politics—any kind of politics—affects their everyday lives. The book also provides students with an overview of the skills and possibilities they'll encounter as majors, including developing critical thinking skills, conducting and consuming research, and understanding the unique career opportunities after graduation.

The book's table of contents begins with foundational tools like theories and research methods, then builds up to subfield chapters on Comparative Politics, International Relations, American Government, Political Economy, and Public Policy and Administration.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781071844564	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $156.00	Bookstore Price: $124.80
ISBN: 9781071844595	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $91.00	Bookstore Price: $72.80
ISBN: 9781071918173	Loose-leaf	Suggested Retail Price: $125.00	Bookstore Price: $100.00

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Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Part I: Foundations

Chapter 1: What Is Political Science?

Differences between Politics and Political Science

History

Is Political Science a Science?

Major Concepts of Political Science

Chapter 2: Research Methods

Questions and Answers

Quantitative Methods

Qualitative Methods

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Political Science

Chapter 3: Political Theory

The Ancients to the Enlightenment

The Enlightenment

Challenges to Liberalism

Contemporary Philosophy

The State of Political Theory Today

Part II: Institutions and Behavior

Chapter 4: Constitutions, Law, and Justice

Characteristics of Constitutions

Systems of Law

The Court System

Chapter 5: Electoral and Party Systems

Parliamentary Systems

Presidential Systems

Purpose of Political Parties

Duverger’s Law

Chapter 6: Political Communications

Roles of the Media

Shaping and Making the News

Media around the World

The Internet, Social Media, and Democracy

Chapter 7: Social Movements and Political Change

Social Movements

The Collective Action Problem

The Impact of Social Movements

Modern Social Movements

Part III: Subfields

Chapter 8: American Politics

Congress

The Presidency

The Courts

Political Behavior

Chapter 9: Comparative Politics

The Comparative Method

The State

Democracy

Globalization

Communism and Postcommunism

Authoritarianism

Development and Developing Countries

Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict

Chapter 10: International Relations

Origins of International Relations Theory

Realism

Liberalism

Constructivism

Feminism

War and Peace

Chapter 11: Political Economy

What Does Politics Have to Do with the Economy?

Types of Economic Systems

Government Involvement and Economic Performance

International Political Economy

Comparative Political Economy

Chapter 12: Public Policy and Public Administration

Stages of the Policymaking Process

Patterns of Policy Change

Policy Actors and Types of Policies

Public Administration

Glossary

Notes

Index

Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION

The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
The Second Edition has been updated to include a new chapter on social movements that highlights the many ways in which groups not only have difficulty in organizing and making change, but the many ways in which these changes can be made from outside the political system.
Students are drawn in with new chapter updates on events like Black Lives Matter, the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict in the American political system and the January 6th insurrection. These updates highlight the many ways in which politics and political science impact their everyday lives.
Chapter 2's discussion on research methods has been expanded to include the different types of variables, expose students to the basics of coding their own data, and help them understand directional relationships.
Chapter 3 on political theory includes new discussions on feminist theory and the recent discussions around critical race theory.
Chapter 6 on political communications has been revised to heavily focus on the impact of social media, misinformation, and disinformation.
Chapter 9 on comparative politics now includes updated and expanded discussions of globalization, including the changing role of the state, authoritarianism and democratic backsliding, and nationalism and ethnic conflict.

KEY FEATURES

An innovative organization reflects the reality of the discipline, beginning with foundational tools like theories and research methods, and then building up to subfield chapters covering overviews of Comparative Politics, International Relations, American Government, Political Economy, and Public Policy/Administration.
Case studies in each chapter connect the material to real life events that students can use to explore issues in more detail. New case study topics include:
- New explorations of mass incarceration and systemic racism in Chapter 4: Constitutions, Law, and Justice;
- COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Chapter 8: American Politics;
- Social media's role in Myanmar's ethnic cleansing in Chapter 9: Comparative Politics;
- And the changing forms of warfare in Chapter 10: International Relations.
Know a Political Scientist features highlight prominent academics in the discipline. Care has been taken to provide students with a diverse range of theorists.
Career Guidance features offer students advice on potential career paths available throughout the subfields of political science.
Chapter Summaries, Discussion Questions, and For Further Reading sections at the end of every chapter encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of the topics discussed.