Question how American democracy is developing

The Struggle for Democracy provides students with an understanding of the American political process and with the tools to critically evaluate that process. This text focuses on the role that democracy has played in the American story and asks students how democracy is-or isn't-revealed in our politics and government. It encourages students to examine how deeply connected politics and government are with historical, economic, and social influences. The Struggle for Democracy both strengthens a fundamental aspect of critical thinking and tells a unique story of our country's political development.

This text features full integration with the New MyPoliSciLab. MyPoliSciLab includes a wide array of resources to encourage students to look at American politics like a political scientist and analyze current political issues. Political Explorer lets students play the role of a political scientist by investigating issues through interactive data. Core Concept videos discuss the big ideas in each chapter and apply them to key political issues. Simulations allow students to experience how political leaders make decisions.

A better teaching and learning experience

This program provides a better teaching and learning experience-for you and your students. Here's how:

  • Personalize Learning-The New MyPoliSciLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. MyPoliSciLab is now compatible with BlackBoard!
  • Engage Students-The stunning visual design engages students in the text.
  • Improve Critical Thinking- Learning objectives in every chapter help students focus on important topics.
  • Analyze Current Events-Coverage of the 2012 elections keeps the study of politics relevant and shows how political scientists look at the development of the American political system.
  • Support Instructors- A full supplements package including the Class Preparation Tool in the New MyPoliSciLab is available.
Note: MyPoliSciLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MyPoliSciLab, please visit: www.mypoliscilab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MyPoliSciLab (at no additional cost): ValuePack ISBN-10: 0205950094/ ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205950096.

This critical thinking approach to American government asks students to evaluate the quality of democracy in America today within a unique framework that offers a holistic view of our system.

The eighth edition of this best-selling text has been completely updated through the 2006 midterm elections. Continuing to offer its lively, critical thinking approach to the course, The Struggle for Democracy is organized around two themes: "Using the Democracy Standard" and "Using the Framework." The first theme, woven throughout the narrative of the entire book, asks students to evaluate the health and vitality of American democracy today against a "democratic ideal" that is carefully defined in the first chapter. The text's second theme, "Using the Framework," asks students to look at the structures underlying our political system-such as the economy, society, cultural values, technology-and examine how these structures affect, and are affected by, our political system.