Bruce Stinebrickner

Annual Editions: American Government 12/13

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

The Annual Editions series is designed to provide convenient, inexpensive access to a wide range of current articles from some of the most respected magazines, newspapers, and journals published today. Annual Editions are updated on a regular basis through a continuous monitoring of over 300 periodical sources. The articles selected are authored by prominent scholars, researchers, and commentators writing for a general audience. Annual Editions volumes have a number of organizational features designed to make them especially valuable for classroom use: a general introduction; an annotated table of contents; a topic guide; an annotated listing of supporting World Wide Web sites; Learning Outcomes and a brief overview at the beginning of each unit; and a Critical Thinking section at the end of each article. Each volume also offers an online Instructor's Resource Guide with testing materials. Using Annual Editions in the Classroom is a general guide that provides a number of interesting and functional ideas for using Annual Editions readers in the classroom. Visit www.mhhe.com/annualeditions for more details.

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Produktdetails

• Annual Editions: American Gove
• Verlag: Dushkin Publishing
• New
• Seitenzahl: 256
• Erscheinungstermin: Januar 2012
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 272mm x 208mm x 15mm
• Gewicht: 454g
• ISBN-13: 9780078051135
• ISBN-10: 0078051134
• Artikelnr.: 34157716

Inhaltsangabe

Annual Editions: American Government 12/13
Preface
Series
Correlation Guide
Topic Guide
Internet References
Part A. Basic Documents
1. The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, 1776
This document formally announces that 13 former British colonies have
become the free and independent United States of America. It eloquently
identifies certain historic principles on which their claim to
independence rests.
2. The History of the Constitution of the United States
The Constitution provides an organizational blueprint for the national
government and for the federal relationship between the national
government and the states. In addition, the first 10 amendments,
commonly known as the Bill of Rights, spell out limits on what the
government can do. A commentary preceding the Constitution provides a
brief account of the writing of the Constitution and also notes some of
its significant features.
3. Federalist No. 10, James Madison, The Federalist Papers, 1787
James Madison argues in support of the union of the 13 states under the
new Constitution. According to Madison, a system of representative
democracy governing a large territory and many people will help control
the undesirable effects of "faction."
4. Federalist No. 51, James Madison, The Federalist Papers, 1787
According to James Madison, both the separation of powers among three
branches of government and the division of powers between the states
and the central government will help preserve representative democracy
under the new Constitution.
Part B. Contemporary Views and Values
5. Can America Fail?, Kishore Mahbubani, Wilson Quarterly, Spring 2009
Kishore Mahbubani identifies three systemic failures of American
society. He argues that Americans must recognize these problems and
correct them, or risk the "unthinkable," failure as a society and world
power.
6. What Makes a Country Great?, Bruce Stokes, National Journal, June 4,
2011
Bruce Stokes reports that the first Your Better Life Index, released by
the OECD in 2011, shows that Americans' quality of life does not
compare particularly well with the quality of life in the other 33 OECD
countries. In turn, according to Stokes, the notion of American
exceptionalism needs careful re-examination.
7. What They Don't Know, Fred Barbash, CQ Weekly, June 13, 2011
Fred Barbash reports that the vast bulk of Americans see the national
government's budget deficit as a major problem, but that they exhibit
woeful ignorance about proportions of the national budget spent on
different government activities.
8. Changing Faiths, Peter Steinfels, The American Prospect, November
2010
Peter Steinfels summarizes a new book on religion and politics in the
American political system that identifies one "earthquake" and two
"aftershocks" in Americans' religious beliefs during the past
half-century and addresses the so-called God gap between the two major
parties. The research in question also reports relatively little overt
politicking in houses of worship, but suggests that connections between
religious beliefs and partisan politics derive primarily from social
networking.
9. Democratize the Grid, Jim Hightower, The Progressive, December
2010/January 2011
Jim Hightower reports great strides in the development of alternative
fuel technologies. He argues for more decentralized economic power and
against the notion that more and more economic growth is a good thing.
10. Pledging Allegiance to Peace, Tony White, Utne Reader, July-August
Tony White argues that patriotism-fostered at home, in school, and by
media-is immoral and that it divides the world's people and makes them
passive and obedient.
11. A Decent Proposal, Bill Keller, The New York Times Magazine, July
3, 2011
Bill Keller proposes that governments cease authorizing or overseeing
the legal institution of marriage and instead establish legal
relationships resembling so-called civil unions within which two adults
can become "partners." In turn, marriage would be left to religious
organizations such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and the like to
address, and the Republican party's gay marriage problems would be
solved.
Part C. Constitutional and Legal Matters
12. It Is Time to Repair the Constitution's Flaws, Sanford Levinson,
October 13, 2006
Sanford Levinson assesses the adequacy of the U.S. Constitution and
observes that many of its structural provisions are obstacles to the
practice of democracy in the American political system.
13. Debating Citizens United, Floyd Abrams and Burt Neuborne, The
Nation, January 31, 2011
Two respected commentators on freedom of speech and of the press, Floyd
Abrams and Burt Neuborne, take opposing positions on the Supreme Court
's landmark Citizens United decision in 2010.
14. Obama in Libya: A Clear and Arrogant Violation of Our Constitution
, Dennis Kucinich, The Progressive, June 2011
Congressman Dennis Kucinich argues that President Obama's commitment of
U.S. armed forces in and around Libya violated the constitution's
provisions that vest the power to declare war in Congress.
Part A. The Presidency
15. The Founders' Great Mistake, Garrett Epps, The Atlantic,
January/February 2009
Garrett Epps argues that the framers of the Constitution created a
dysfunctional and dangerous presidency that has caused problems for the
United States throughout its history. He offers a number of reforms
relating to the office of chief executive and the interaction of the
president with the legislative branch.
16. Veto This!, Carl M. Cannon, National Journal, October 13, 2007
Carl M. Cannon places President George W. Bush's infrequent use of the
veto in historical context and explores several perspectives on the
proper role of the president's veto power in the operation of the
American political system.
17. What Happened to Obama's Passion?, Drew Westen, New York Times,
August 7, 2011
Drew Westen argues that Barack Obama's biggest shortcoming as
president has been his failure to do a good job of explaining problems
and needed solutions to the American people. He also addresses why
Obama, who was a compelling speaker as a presidential candidate, has
been an ineffective orator as president.
18. Bullied Pulpit, David Corn, Mother Jones, May/June 2011
David Corn explains why President Obama and the White House were
ineffective in responding to misleading criticisms of the health care
reform legislation that the president supported.
19. Studying the Gipper, The Economist, January 6, 2011
This selection idenfies similarities and differences in the Reagan and
Obama presidencies.
Part B. Congress
20. When Congress Stops Wars: Partisan Politics and Presidential Power
, William G. Howell and Jon C. Pevehouse, Foreign Affairs,
September/October 2007
The authors explore the various ways that Congress can restrict
presidential war powers. They also note that the party composition of
Congress and the presidency is an important factor in how much
influence Congress exerts.
21. The Case for Congress, Lee H. Hamilton, Wilson Quarterly, Spring
2004
Lee H. Hamilton defends Congress against a series of frequently voiced
criticisms of the institution and of its individual members.
22. How to Get Our Democracy Back: There Will Be No Change Until We
Change Congress, Lawrence Lessig, The Nation, February 22, 2010
Lawrence Lessig argues that the U.S. Congress is politicall y bankrupt
because of the centrality of fundraising on Capitol Hill and the way
that that phenomenon has shaped Americans' perceptions of Congress. He
expresses disappointment in President Obama's failure to try to reform
Capitol Hill and identifies two reforms aimed at improving the
reputation of Congress.
23. Pulling Apart, Ronald Brownstein, National Journal, February 26,
2011
Ronald Brownstein reports that roll-call voting in the 2010 Congress
reached new heights of party polarization and presents quantitative
data supporting that conclusion.
24. Being Boehner, Major Garrett, National Journal, June 4, 2011
Major Garrett summarizes the leadership style of Speaker of the House
John Boehner and compares and contrasts him with previous speakers.
25. Master of the Senate, Robert Costa, National Review, January 24,
2011
Robert Costa focuses on the leadership style and accomplishments of
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a pivotal and powerful figure
in a period of divided government.
26. Congress's Man of the Vines, Including His Own, Eric Lipton, The
New York Times, July 4, 2011
Eric Lipton reports the relationship between Congressman Mike Thompson
of California, himself the owner of a vineyard, and the wine industry.
He also addresses the propriety of Congressman Thompson's activities on
behalf of wine industry interests.
Part C. The Judiciary
27. Roberts versus Roberts: Just How Radical Is the Chief Justice?,
Jeffrey Rosen, The New Republic, March 11, 2010
Jeffrey Rosen assesses Chief Justice John Roberts's five years
presiding over the Supreme Court and suggests that Roberts may not be
as interested in building consensus on the Court as he has said he was.
In turn, according to Rosen, the chief justice and the Court itself may
be entering risky political territory.
28. Court under Roberts Is Most Conservative in Decades, Adam Liptak,
The New York Times, July 24, 2010
According to Adam Liptak, systematic data show that in its first five
years the Roberts Court has been more conservative than any Supreme
Court since the 1930s. He also notes that the Roberts Court has
overturned fewer laws per year than its immediate precedessor, the
Rehnquist Court (1986-2005), did.
29. Justices Venture into Court of Public Opinion, Seth Stern, CQ
Weekly, January 31, 2011
Seth Stern reports that current Supreme Court justices are increasing
their visibility and public presence through memoirs, televised
speeches and interviews, and the like. He also provides historical
perspective and addresses the potential institutional implications for
the Supreme Court.
Part D. Bureaucracy
30. Marking Time: Why Government Is Too Slow, Bruce Berkowitz, The
American Interest, September/October 2007
Bruce Berkowitz addresses why government bureaucracies are typically so
slow to produce results. He discusses various factors that explain this
phenomenon and suggests ways to improve the situation.
31. Legislation Is Just the Start, Lee Hamilton, Center on Congress at
Indiana University, August 9, 2010
Lee Hamilton notes that the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act of July 2010 leaves many matters for government
bureaucrats to resolve. He also suggests that the bureaucrats will be
subject to considerable pressure from lobbyists whose clients have a
keen interest in how the act is implemented.
Part A. Political Parties and Voters
32. Polarized Pols versus Moderate Voters?, Stuart Taylor, Jr.,
National Journal, December 5, 2009
Stuart Taylor considers whether the much lamented polarization of
American politics today stems more from a polarized electorate than
from polarization of elected representatives and party activists. After
surveying relevant data, Taylor concludes that voters are less
polarized than party and government elites.
33. Limited War, Thomas B. Edsall, The New Republic, November 11, 2010
Thomas Edsall explains how austerity and scarcity of resources will
increasingly shape electoral politics and political party tactics in
the years to come.
34. Reagan's Lasting Realignment, Michael G. Franc, National Review,
August 1, 2011
Michael Franc presents evidence to show that the presidency of Ronald
Reagan had a greater effect on Americans' party identification than any
other post-World War II presidency.
Part B. The Conduct of Elections and Nominations
35. America Observed, Robert A. Pastor, The American Prospect, January
4, 2005
Robert A. Pastor identifies "dysfunctional decentralization" as the
central cause of problems in America's election system and compares
various dimensions of the system with those of other countries.
36. Six Myths about Campaign Money, Eliza Newlin Carney, National
Journal, August 7, 2010
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v.
Federal Election Commission in early 2010, Eliza Carney Newlin
identifies and discusses what she views as six myths about campaign
financing in the American political system.
37. The American Presidential Nomination Process: The Beginnings of a
New Era, Bruce Stinebrickner, McGraw-Hill Contemporary Learning Series
, 2008
Bruce Stinebrickner reviews four eras in the history of the
presidential nomination process and argues that changes evident during
the first part of the 2008 process suggest that a fifth era is about to
begin.
38. Three Ways Social Media Will Make or Break 2012 Election Campaigns
, Jay Samit, AdvertisingAge (adage.com), June 23, 2011
Jay Samit argues that social media will play an unprecedented role in
the 2012 election campaigns because of the size of the social media
audience, the inaccessibility of younger voters except through social
media, and the effectiveness of advertising and fundraising through
social media.
Part C. Interest Groups and Political Movements
39. Big Oil's Big Man in Washington, Tony Newmyer, Fortune, July 4,
2011
Tony Newmyer profiles the president and CEO of the American Petroleum
Institute, the powerful oil industry organization headquartered in
Washington, DC.
40. Born Fighting, Ronald Brownstein, National Journal, September 27,
2008
Ronald Brownstein notes the ten-year anniversary of the founding of
MoveOn.org, a progressive interest group that illustrates the rise of
the Internet as a political force.
41. Why They Lobby, Winter Casey, National Journal, May 31, 2008
Winter Casey discusses lobbyists who work on behalf of interests such
as gambling, alcohol, and tobacco, and he considers the suggestion that
they are living on the "dark side" of American politics.
42. Conservative Juggernaut Melds Politics and Policy, Joseph J.
Schatz, CQ Weekly, Feburary 28, 2011
Joseph Schatz reports the growing influence of Crossroads GPS, a
political advocacy group that operates in the worlds of both policy
and election campaigns. He also explains how recent court decisions
have facilitated the growing influence of such groups.
43. The Radical Right Returns, Paul Starobin, National Journal, October
2, 2010
Paul Starobin examines the contemporary Radical Right in American
politics in the context of nativist sentiments that have repeatedly
manifested themselves throughout American history.
44. Group Think, Jonathan Rauch, National Journal, September 11, 2010
According to Jonathan Rauch, the Tea Party movement began as a
"network," not an organization; manifests radical decentralization; is
essentially leaderless; and may leave its most important legacy in an
organizational, not political, context.
Part D. Media
45. A See-Through Society, Micah L. Sifry, Columbia Journalism Review,
January/February 2009
Micah Sifry makes the case that the American political system is
entering "a new age of political transparency." He argues that the Web
is changing the ways that Americans access and consume all sorts of
information at all levels of government.
46. Governing in the Age of Fox News, Paul Starr, The Atlantic Monthly
, January/February 2010
Paul Starr traces the history of American media through two earlier
stages, and argues that the current stage is a hybrid system that
combines elements of the first two. He notes the emergence of partisan
media outlets such as Fox News and MSNBC, both of which co-exist with
less partisan professional journalism.
47. Serious Fun with Numbers, Janet Paskin, Columbia Journalism Review
, November/December 2010
Janet Paskin identifies a deficiency in most reporters' skill sets, and
reports how one journalist acquired relevant quantitative and software
skills to analyze publicly available data and won a Pulitzer Prize for
his efforts.
Part A. Domestic Policy
48. The Realities of Immigration, Linda Chavez, Commentary, July/August
2006
Linda Chavez tries to set the record straight about immigration and
immigration reform and uses historical, economic, sociological, and
policy perspectives to do so.
49. The Other National Debt, Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, June
21, 2010
Kevin Williamson discusses and sums the conventionally cited national
government debt, unfunded liabilities stemming from Social Security and
Medicare programs, and state and local government debts. He arrives at
a staggering total of $106 trillion.
50. In Defense of Deficits, James K. Galbraith, The Nation, March 22,
2010
James K. Galbraith explains the critical role that government budget
deficits play in stimulating economic growth, and argues that current
economic circumstances require continued deficit spending by the
national government.
51. Meet the Real Death Panels, James Ridgeway, Mother Jones,
July/August 2010
James Ridgeway explores the issue of large health care expenditures
for the oldest generation, and, in doing so, addresses many essentials
of the American health care delivery system.
52. Clean, Green, Safe and Smart, Michael T. Klare, The Nation, August
2/9, 2010
Michael T. Klare argues for a comprehensive national energy plan to
reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels and increase reliance on
renewable energy sources.
53. A Flimsy Trust: Why Social Security Needs Some Major Repairs, Allan
Sloan, The Washington Post, August 2, 2009
Allan Sloan calls attention to problems facing the country's biggest
social program, the Social Security old-age pension program that began
during the New Deal. Sloan understands that other pressing problems
besetting the United States today will likely get-and may indeed
deserve-more immediate attention, but he argues that Social Security
problems will inevitably become greater in the next few years and that
reforms are urgently needed.
54. What We Don't Know Can Hurt Us, Tim Fernholz, The American Prospect
, December 2010
Tim Fernholz notes that accurate information is necessary to craft
good public policy. He identifies six areas in which missing
information is handicapping the government's ability to make sound
policy.
Part B. National and Homeland Security
55. The Tyranny of Metaphor, Robert Dallek, Foreign Policy, November
2010
Robert Dallek identifies three historical myths that have undermined
prudent foreign policy and national security decisions for the better
part of a century. He also provides relevant examples and analysis.
56. Worth Fighting-or Not, Burt Solomon, National Journal, June 13,
2009
Burt Solomon considers the major wars in which the United States has
participated and notes that both unintended and intended consequences
must be taken into account in assessing them.
57. Back to Normalcy, Paul Kennedy, The New Republic, December 30, 2010
Paul Kennedy argues that the United States is changing from an
abnormally dominant role in world affairs that has lasted for a
half-century or more to the more normal role of being one of a small
group of great powers. He also analyzes the current strength of each of
three factors on which a nation's status in world affairs is said to
rest.
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