The Challenge of Democracy: Government in America

by Kenneth Janda, Jeffrey M. Berry, Jerry Goldman

This complete introduction to American government offers a comprehensive program that integrates the core text with supporting materials to benefit both students and instructors. The Eighth Edition maintains the highly acclaimed, non-ideological framework, exploring three themes: freedom, order, and equality as political values; the majoritarianism v. pluralism debate; and the effect of globalization on U.S. politics.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Government, Textbooks, History, Academic, Political Science

800 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Persy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my textbook for American Government in college. It was actually pretty engaging as far as textbooks go and not overly dry! It was also pretty current and up to date, which I really appreciated.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Its not terrible in terms of the writing didn't make sense. But more that this book that one could easily tell is attempting to spread its agenda through definitions and wordings. We went over this in my AP government class and almost every single student could tell that these writers were attempting to invoke certain messages through their wordings and explanations. If you read this, then you'll know

[Paul Bruce · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5

[reading instead of sleeping]

let’s not rate this.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is often described as "non-ideological" as though there were some totally objective, non-political way to discuss politics. When, quite simply, there isn't. Any choice a teacher makes in how to discuss an issue or present information is going to entail ideological choices, whether we choose to admit it or not.

What I think the non-ideological descriptor means here is that this book fits well within the dominant frames with which we discuss politics in the U.S. However, that is, in its own way, ideological. The authors present a very narrow view of what democratic politics could be. The discussion here focuses on majoritarianism v. pluralism and is firmly entrenched in a SMDP, two party way of thinking about politics. Even in their comparisons with "other" democratic systems, they choose to compare us to the UK (rather than comparing with a PR/MMP system). As a result, the authors miss an opportunity to illustrate to students that our way of doing democracy is not the only way, the best way, or even a very democratic way.

Since this book leaves other ways of doing democracy completely unexamined and assumes a kind of status quo position vis-a-vis American Politics, it appears "non-ideological" to many. But I couldn't help but feel as though this book was very ideological in that it doesn't offer students the opportunity to think about how we might do democracy differently and better.

[Chris Seltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm generally skeptical of civics textbooks, but this is decent. It covers topics relevant to the American government without falling into ideology or propaganda and is as good of a starting point as any.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

really. a textbook.

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Textbook for American Government 101.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was pretty cool for a textbook... but knowing is only half the battle..