Product Description

Balancing practical and theoretical knowledge, Political Science is a comprehensive and jargon-free introduction to the field’s basic concepts and themes. This bestselling brief text uses diverse real-world examples to show students the value of avoiding simplifications in politics, the relevance of government, and the importance of participation. Written from Mike Roskin’s unique and engaging point-of-view, Political Science remains the best at providing the clear explanations, practical applications, and current examples that will welcome students to a vital field of study.

Customer Reviews (10)

Neo-Con Indoctrination
I got this book for a college class.
I am really angry that I paid for this and that I am going to a school that requires this piece of trash for a class.

I read the introduction which explains that as a Political Scientist we must deal in fact without being angered by the facts. Ok I'm fine with that, sounds like collegiate thinking to me, however on the same page under the title
Regimes it states:" Totalitarianism is a disease of the twentieth century"

I decided to do a few spot checks and just randomly pick a page and read it, Boy oh Boy what a book!

page 113 states as a fact "Nice guys don't rule countries like Iraq".

It just gets better and better. I am sure there is stuff in this book like the descriptions of the political parties mentioned by the previous reviewer as well though I have not yet gotten to those parts.

This book says not to get angry at the facts yet presents opinions as if they are facts.

I'll give my opinion: If these are the political advisers our "leaders" follow, it should come as no surprise that the business of politics is so unpleasant. My advise, Do not take a class that uses this as the text book, get your money back from the school and take a different course.

Good overall introduction book to political science
I really enjoyed reading this book where it appears to cover the many important subjects within political science. I give this book a 4 because the author focuses mainly on Western politics (primarily on the U.S.) where I would've enjoyed a greater coverage on more Eastern theorists. This is just my opinion of course where it certainly is a introduction book by not delving too specific into any one subject and instead covers a breadth of issues. Since I am new to this field, I found the further readings section at the end of the chapter helpful where I recently purchased a book on political theory because of it. Any one who is curious about the field should certainly start with a book like this.

P.S. The author's humor at times was a bit much but I suppose everyone has their own style of writing and communicating.

Amazon Order Review - Political Science book
The value was unbelievable !I bought this book for a class I am taking at Northeastern University. The bookstore had it for $110.00 - purchased it thru Amazon for just a few dollars AMAZING !!! I will shop no where else - only Amazon !!The book was in good condition.

A Must Read
This was a great book that I would recommend for anyone pursuing a professional career and it doesn't matter in what field of work.There is politics in everything!!

Political Science 10th edition
Had to have this book for class. I am grateful for the opportunity to get my books through Amazon, this has been an immense help with cutting expenses while going to college. The shipper got the book to me in record time and I am pleased. ... Read more

Product Description
"Stephen Van Evera's Guide to Methods makes an important contribution toward improving the use of case studies for theory development and testing in the social sciences. His trenchant and concise views on issues ranging from epistemology to specific research techniques manage to convey not only the methods but the ethos of research. This book is essential reading for social science students at all levels who aspire to conduct rigorous research."--Alexander L. George, Stanford University, and Andrew Bennett, Georgetown University

"Van Evera has a keen awareness of the questions that arise in every phase of the political science research project--from initial conception to final presentation. Although others may not agree with all of his specific advice, all will appreciate his user-friendly introduction to what is sometimes seen as anabstract and difficult topic."--Timothy J. McKeown, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

For the last few years, Stephen Van Evera has greeted new graduate students at MIT with a commonsense introduction to qualitative methods in the social sciences. His helpful hints, always warmly received, grew from a handful of memos to an underground classic primer. That primer has now evolved into a book of how-to information about graduate study, which is essential reading for graduate students and undergraduates in political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, and history--and for their advisers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Zach
Only an undergraduate student so I'm probably not the best person to review methadology.In the first section, Van Evera gives a good general overview of the basics.The most thorough section is on case studies.This is very helpful as case studies are often ignored by most, though, as the author notes, can be very helpful especially for IR.The third section also discusses in some depth what a dissertation should look like.This is helpful for someone new to the field and (I assume) for someone undertaking this.Just to note, Van Evera is an IR scholar and a lot of his examples and such are taken from the IR field.I enjoyed this, as that's my area of study, but if your not you might find this annoying.

Not a guide to methods
This book is not a guide to methods, but a guide to how to write an under-grad paper. It is nothing like Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, which IS a real guide to methods. If you already know what is a theory (e.g. as opposed to a non-causal statement) and how to write a paper reasonably well (i.e. without making silly mistakes of omission or commissin) then you do not need this book. If you do not, you might usefully use this book - BUT DO NOT CONFUSE IT WITH A GUIDE TO METHODS.

Practical guide to research/writing (and the arrows work)
Van Evera's book is simple, to be sure, but not simplistic; a prior reviewer's gibes at the notion of flow-charting a theory, with arrows, are a bit off the mark.As the reviewer notes, a theory designates a causal relationship.If so -- no matter what its other "good" points (parsimony, explanatory reach, etc) -- you can draw that causal relationship between the various independent variables and the dependent variable they help to explain.You can even draw it with arrows.

In general this book is recommended for 1st or 2nd year political science graduate students, and useful for advanced undergraduates (who will only care about the 1st 100 pages or so).It is clear and eminently practical.Other reviewers are right to imply there is little here in the way of philosophy of science in the broadest sense.But that merely makes this book a complement, not a substitute, to more esoteric explorations of the topic.

Got Arrow Diagram?
In this book Mr. Van Evera introduces the reader to the gospel of arrow diagraming, in which all political science theories must be drawn as letters, representing variables, with arrows (representing causality) connecting them.Thus, to quote Van Evera, "a theory that cannot be arrow-diagrammed is not a theory and needs reframing to become a theory."Thus, by his measure, much of the poli sci "theories" are not theories at all.So what are GOOD theories, for van Evera, besides those that are easily arrow-diagramed?

Theories are general statements that describe and explain the causes or effects of classes of phenomena.They are composed of causal laws or hypotheses, explanations, and antecedent conditions.Explanations are also composed of causal laws or hypotheses, which are in turn composed of dependent and independent variables.A good theory has 7 characteristics: it has large explanatory power (importance, explanatory range, applicability), and is parsimonious, satisfying, clearly framed, falsifiable, explains important phenomena, and has "prescriptive richness."

In short, the book might teach newbies a thing or two about methodological rigor and research design, but is certainly no model of sophistication.In fact, the book is a perfect example of why American political "science" is sometimes mocked by the rest of the academic world. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This volume is designed to serve as a core text for the widest range of Introduction to Political Science courses; also to be used as a supplement to a variety of textbooks in the field of political science. Although as a core book it will be succinct and tightly organized and without a particular disciplinary slant, it will present the essence of the subject in an interesting way. Chapters of special relevance: our Western political heritage, comparative politics, international relations, recent focuses of study. Major contributors to particular areas of political science will be noted throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great
The book is a good, basic approach to political science. Clearly laid out and easy to understand

Worst! I WANT MY MONEY!
I NEVER EVEN GOT THE BOOK. I HAVE BEEN STOLEN FROM MY MONEY AND I WANT A FULL REFUND NOW.

A good, wide-ranging primer
This short textbook gives a brief, balanced introduction to just about every aspect of political science.

I was drawn to this book partly because of the author's passionate opening assertion that "Throughout history the breakdown of political authority has taken a devastating toll in human suffering." I hoped that this strong point of view would be carried through the book and inform the author's explanations of the topics. While I can't exactly say that this was achieved, I can say that he does write from a strong conviction in the importance of politics in the widest sense, and with a sense that all the many aspects and subdisciplines of political science play important parts in this complex, sometimes ill-defined discipline.

The text is broken down into five parts, dealing respectively with the traditions of Western political thought, individual and group behavior, government institutions, international politics, and finally an examination of political science itself as a discipline. Each part consists of from two to five short chapters, which are in turn broken into subsections giving short descriptions of the important topics. With the possible exception of part 5 (since I am not a student of academic political science), I found Heineman's survey most relevant to helping my understanding of the political world.

To take one example, he covers a lot of ground in a short space as he describes the history of political thought and the thinking behind liberalism, Marxism, and conservatism. After a lifetime of reading newspapers and magazines, I felt for the first time that I was discovering what the core outlooks and ideas are behind the politics of the left and right, and why the various positions on the spectrum think as they do.

Heineman's writing style can be a little academic and wordy, and sometimes, in his zeal for balance, he gives the impression of trying almost too hard to see value in points of view that he clearly doesn't agree with (for example, postmodernism), but over all his interest in and respect for the discipline carries the day. Also, my copy, published in 1996, is a bit dated--although this is not important for a primer. The brevity of the individual subsections, which are almost like encyclopedia entries, also helps speed the reader along.

In sum, it is a wide, concise survey that lets you see the whole field in one text, so that you can decide which areas of the discipline you might want to examine further. At the very least, after reading this you should be able to get much more out of news stories. ... Read more

Product Description

Understanding the Political World offers a comparative perspective on how politics works at the global, national, group, and individual level.

Focusing on how fundamental concepts in political science relate to real political events, this bestselling text surveys political behavior, systems, and processes throughout the world and asks students to evaluate and apply this knowledge. Through an engaging writing style, numerous examples, and the instructive use of cartoons and photographs, Understanding the Political World encourages students to think like political scientists and to critically examine new and enduring political realities and challenges.

Customer Reviews (8)

Happy Customer
The book came in great condition, just as the seller claimed and I received it on time. Very satisfied.

Understanding the political world
i think this book is awesome. I love the study cases/debates in it. I used it for my university course.
This is such a great book. i do recommend it.

Great Intro to Political Science
This is a great book for anybody interested in an unbiased, fact-based introduction to the field of politics. Danziger does a particularly good job at highlighting the controversial issues that pervade modern politics (welfare, interventionism, etc.) without attempting to steer the opinion of the reader in either direction.

excellent introduction
This is a really well written book that does a great job of explaining how political scientists try to make sense out of politics. It is full of interesting stories and examples, offers understandable explanations of major concepts, and it connects the reader to many of the current events in the world.

Significant Undisclosed Damage
There was significant water damage to the book, which was not listed on the sellers entry.Unfortunately for me, my class was starting and I did not have the time to send it back for a refund and order another book from someone else. ... Read more

Product Description

Don t let an introduction to research methods be your studentsleast favorite (and most intimidating) political science course. Relevant, timely, insightful, comprehensive, and always mindful of their student audience, the authors have revamped their popular text so that the sixth edition is friendlier and more intuitive than ever the perfect gateway to understanding not just thehowbut also thewhybehind research into politics.

Covering the discipline s major methods, the authors lead students step-by-step through the logic of research design.Building blockchapters on hypothesis formation and testing, variables, and measurement are right up front; the introduction to research design, sampling, and literature reviews now come with more explanation as to why a researcher would pursue different kinds of methods; the stats chapters begin with a common-sense primer that walks students through foundational ideas and practices. Throughout the text, updated examples of contemporary research problems keep readers engaged.

Each chapter has bolded key terms that are also listed in a glossary at the end of each chapter and the end of the text.Helpful hintsfeature boxes give students nuts-and-bolts reminders they can refer to when they conduct their own research or assess the work of others.

NEW TO THIS EDITION

• New examples of political science research in Chapter 1, including a case on judicial decision making and current research into public opinion on the war in Iraq.
• Expanded discussion of theory in Chapter 2, showing how competing paradigms can be applied to the same topic of study.
• Substantially updated discussion of survey research including coverage of Internet polling and a fuller description of interviewing.
• Computational formulas and calculations are now featured inHow It s Doneboxes allowing students to separate lengthy calculations from substantive discussion of the meaning or interpretation of statistical results.
• Greater coverage of newer developments in applied statistics, including exploratory data analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics for counts and functions of counts. In general, less emphasis on computation, and more on interpretation.
• Reorganized statistics chapters for better comprehension with regression analysis and logistic regression in their own chapters.
• A new overview of statistical analysis, including discussion of data preparation, description, modeling, inference, interpretation, and the communication of results.

Customer Reviews (5)

Great for Non-Math Brains
If math isn't your strong suit, and you're learning Research Methods/Statistics for Social Science/PoliSci/Public Administration, THIS book makes it about as easy as possible to understand what you're doing and why you're doing it. It does a good job of the "why" in addition to the "how".I am glad my professor chose this book for our MPA program's lower-level Research Methods class. An easy read, even if you have to read it twice to understand mathematical operations (as many of us social science folk do.) :-)

good condition and fast delivery
the book was in excellent condition ans had few marks and minor cover damage. i would definitely order from this seller again.

Good intro to methods
We used this book in my graduate research methods class. Many of the articles are well written and provide a good overview. It is a dry read though

Horribly written and full of errors
I am teaching out of this book and the accompanying workbook for the first time, and I cannot express how terrible they are. The text is extremely overwritten (10 pages for something that could be expressed in one page), the statistics section is not clear at all, the workbook exercises are either too basic or overly complicated, and the text and the workbook answer key are riddled with errors. As a result of this last issue, not only do I need to do the usual work of crafting and giving lectures, I also have to comb the book for errors so that I can correct them for my students and redo all of the exercises so that I have an error-free answer key. I will never use these books again.

Good information buried in fluff
This author needs to take two classes at whichever university she teaches: (1) instructional design and (2) writing concisely. This book has quite a lot of good information, but it is all buried within convoluted fluff.

There are many other books on research methodology that (a) do a better job of explaining, (b) include more comprehensive rules for research, and (c) don't take up so much of your valuable time with fluff. I recommend you look at those other books -- especially if you are a professor who is choosing a book for your students. ... Read more

Product Description
Paul M. Kellstedt's and Guy D. Whitten's The Fundamentals of Political Science Research provides an introduction to the scientific study of politics, supplying students with the basic tools needed to be both critical consumers and producers of scholarly research in political science. The book begins with a discussion of what it means to take a scientific approach to the study of politics. At the core of such an approach is the development of causal theories. Because there is no magic formula by which theories are developed, the authors present a series of strategies and develop an integrated approach to research design and empirical analyses that allows students to determine the plausibility of their causal theories. The text's accessible presentation of mathematical concepts and regression models with two or more independent variables is a key component to this process, along with the integration of examples from political science and the real world to help students grasp the fundamental concepts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

College Textbook Order
I needed this book immediately for one of my classes, but the prices on campus were way too inflated for a student.I came to amazon for help and found this seller. The price was outstanding!!! Furthermore, I paid for fast shipping in order to receive the book in time to meet my class requirement. I am very pleased that the book was shipped immediately upon payment and arrived two days after it was shipped! Not to mention, it is in excellent condition! I bought another book from a different seller on the same day and also paid for fast shipping. In my mind, fast shipping means that the item is shipped upon payment (which was an immediate payment for this transaction) and arrives 2-4 days later. The book was JUST shipped (DAYS after I ordered it) and I will not get it until the end of this week or the beginning of next. If I was able to buy that book from this seller, I would have in a heartbeat and I would have been in fantastic shape for ALL of my classes!!!

Back to what you REALLY want to hear: this seller satisfied my expectations and impressed me very much! I highly recommend this seller to anyone!!!! I couldn't be more pleased and I am so sure that you will be too!!!

To seller: FANTASTIC job! Please keep up the good work!!! I will def be coming back to you for future textbook needs!!! ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive, practical writer's manual is designed to help readers accomplish two goals: 1) improve their writing skills and strategies and 2) learn political science at the same time. The manual considers the different types of papers common to political science at all levels, at the introductory level, and at the advanced level–exploring the purposes and characteristics of each paper, the steps for writing a successful paper, and typical formats. The volume provides a handbook of style for political science, guide to distance learning and the Internet and writing assignments for all levels. For those interested in improving the political science writing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Political Science Student Writer's Manual
I never received this book.Please let me know how I should proceed.Thank you.

Great!
In its rawest form, the science of political inquiry exists as the energy, product, and work of a community engaged in survey.To this end, Gregory M. Scott and Stephen M. Garrison offer a fourth installment of The Political Science Student Writer's Manual; an effort which is less a textbook and more a left-brain to the neophyte who dares tread the waters of political inquiry.Adding minor additions and revisions to their 2000 effort, Gregory M. Scott's and Stephen M. Garrison's exquisite balancing of the research and analytical technique equip even the most nascent scientists with the powers of organization necessary to draw pointed and meaningful measurements.Though its tight format is quick-moving at times, Scott and Garrison's work offers a genuinely demonstrative approach to successful writing techniques for students of political science.Addressing the growing need for students to be able to perform contemporary research, Scott and Garrison present information in an easy-to-read, how-to format which makes it a must-have for any political science student.

The science of politics is one which is intrinsically connected to every facet of the human condition; consequently, a student of this science must possess the dexterity to competently explore and address issues contained within the broader spectrum of life.Recognizing that this is not an easy task, Scott and Garrison break their book into six palatable parts, each addressing their own separate focuses.Part one, divided into four chapters, concentrates on writing, format, and citation.Part two, which was absent in their previous editions, consists of two chapters related specifically to distance learners and the use and inclusion of internet resources.Part three, consisting only of one chapter, focuses heavily on the organization of the research process, an effort which students of this discipline must take care in doing.Part four holds two chapters and offers explicit how-to information related to composing reviews, critiques, and research papers.Part five caters specifically to introductory-level students and, through its two chapters, offers information on issue reaction and position papers.Finally, part six, the bulkiest section, includes three detailed chapters for advanced-level students.Part six's contents include information on constructing a policy analysis paper, case briefs, and public opinion survey papers.

Perhaps one of the most noticeable departures these authors take from their contemporaries lies in their straight-forward style and formatting.To a novice, this book literally reads like a how-to manual with simple, easy-to-understand diction resonating in each section.The use of basic and explanatory diction not only makes this read breezy, but it also juxtaposes well with the numerous examples and illustrations.Clear and frequent samples and visuals, such as those found in part one of chapter two, offer explicit information on how-to and how-not-to write competently.Additionally, extensive reference book information in chapter seven, how to compose a position paper in chapter eleven, and how a policy analysis paper should look in chapter twelve are all things which, unless explicitly instructed, a student would be left up to their own designs in discovering.

This book is concise yet voluminous with regard to the diversity of information offered.For instance, while the last chapter offers the reader room to grow as it introduces upper-division topics such as "Policy Analysis" and "How to Read Supreme Court Decisions", the authors make certain to address the basic needs of new scientists with their inclusion of a lengthy introduction and a full section dedicated solely to basic writing technique.Quite literally, each chapter reads like the modern student's desk reference as it offers clear and concise examples on things like how to cite resources using the American Political Science Association (APSA) style format, to how to format and write an issue reaction paper.In a nutshell, Scott and Garrison lay the basic groundwork of structure and organization from which a serious student of political science can research, write, and evolve.

Whether being taught in a classroom or formulated within a position paper, political science is the perennial journey toward illumination.To this end, Scott and Garrison make a superb contribution.All sections are rich with information.And though at times it would have been helpful to include more full-page illustrations instead of the 1/4th and ½ ones, the need to compact the visuals is understandable given the quick-moving, broad base of the book.Known for their stellar work in the authorship of manuals written for students of other disciplines, Scott and Garrison stand heads above the often condescending and impractical writings of other authors in this genre.Scott and Garrison's Political Science Student Writer's Manual, 4th Edition was designed to improve the writing and to increase the knowledge of political science among its readership; I can think of no other textbook which comes as close to accomplishing this task than this book.
Perhaps the most appealing characteristic of Scott and Garrison's Political Science Student Writer's Manual, 4th Edition is that, upon reading it, one can tell that it is designed with the student in mind.The inclusion of part two and the work in section 4.2 illustrate the authors' great attention to detail in including both relevant and updated information for the student. The political scientist, much like primordial man, awakes in a vast darkness, feeling for answers, searching for understanding, drawing only upon the very nature of what it means to be intertwined within the timeless tapestry of the unknown.In this darkness, ancient man fashioned the wheel; in ours, Scott and Garrison have written this manual.

An excellent reference for political science students
If you are interested in political science and need to write about it,this is one book you should not miss.For beginners, the manual is usefulin laying out the foundations they should have in writing about politicalscience.The manual covers the basics in writing, such as grammar,punctuation and the format of the papers.For writers who are writing forspecific audiences, the manual offers suggestions how to improve and refineyour writing skills.For example, there are specific chapters dealing withwriting policy analysis, public opinion surveys an d other types ofwriting.The manual aims to give the reader a better understanding of whatis required of him or her when s/he undertakes the writing project.Italso covers areas like defining a topic and organising the researchprocess.Before you write a paper on political science, it is highlyrecommended that you use the manual to help hone your writing. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume provides an unequaled introduction to the thought of chief contributors to the Western tradition of political philosophy from classical Greek antiquity to the twentieth century.Written by specialists on the various philosophers, this third edition has been expanded significantly to include both new and revised essays. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Great Survey on Political Philosophy
Most of the political philosophy surveys I've found tend to revolve around around subject matters and will tell you how all the major players thought about that particular issue. This book feels more old school in the sense that the editors chose to show the major players' most influential ideas in political philosophy (to show all their ideas would produce a book at least ten times as big), in chronological order. You will not learn everything there is to know about political philosophy from this book, but I believe that it will give you the most bang for you're buck if you only plan on reading one or two books on the subject, or if you are looking for an amazing introduction to get you started. Biggest problem with it that anyone can see off the bat is that there are a few people in the book that could have been taken out and replaced by some more notable and influential players, at least Rawls and Nozick should have made it.

History of Political Philosophy
This book illustrates so well how historical thinkers wrestled with key issues including political, philosophical, religious and cultural aspects. It's these intersections and inflection points that enable us to better understand how interrelated these areas are today. These editors have added of wealth of substantive insights that are not easily found in one book. I highly recommend reading this; I've spent years reading it and still learning....Then go read Ken Wilbur - Marriage of Sense and Soul and you will be amazed. R. Sanford

Still working
This is a great book, it is a wealth of the history of Western Culture. I have marked it up and still working through this beefy book. In my political Science classes we will read a text and I will go home and read their section in this book; it has been a great place to get the feel of a thinker before reading the source material.

This book is great but only if...
This book is great but only if you have a knowledge of the books and thoughts of philosophers inside well beforehand. That is because the book examines the thoughts -say- hermeneutically. Every now and then you will see references to philosophers' books and most of the time -if it is someone whom you just want to have a general information- it makes you get angry.

As a result, do not buy this book just to treat it like a dictionary. It has more than that and all in all it is an academic book. Great source for university studies and essays but surely not for dummies.

The best philosophy overview
This is the best philosophy (not just political) overview I have found.The essays for each philosopher are several pages long and cover all aspects of the philosopher's thought.I have owned this book for years, and I still find myself going back to it over any other philosophy book. ... Read more

Product Description
With contributions by 42 of the best political scientists wolrdwide, A New Handbook of Political Science analyzes the progress made in political science over the past twenty years in the context of historical trends in the field. International in its scope and systematic in its coverage, this comprehensive volume will be an essential reference book for political scientists and those who track their work. It is the ideal companion for all who intend to follow political science into the next century. ... Read more

Product Description
Use award-winning software to analyze and critically evaluate real data with the seventh edition of RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE: AN INTRODUCTION USING MICROCASE? EXPLORIT. This workbook includes a Windows version of MicroCase ExplorIt, a user-friendly program that makes it easy to manipulate and learn from actual data without getting bogged down in complicated statistical software. Over two dozen research-quality data files are included in this package, along with 14 exercise worksheets (one per chapter) that let you see the real impact of the concepts you study. You're then walked through the entire research process, giving you hands-on experience in research methods. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not very clear on the step by step instuctions.
Trying to follow this book in the step by step instructions is like trying to follow a kid hyped up on sugar. It is a good book for reading but when it comes to the step by step instructions for creating files it is just really hard to understand. It seems like the author has ADD and just goes on a tangent talking about "TAB this and Enter that". So it is a good book to read and learn but the for computer step by step teaching guide it is just bad. You don't need to write a long paragraph on how to type YES and NO in a box.

A top notch introduction to social science research methods
I can't improve on Dr. Charlie Leonard's review so let me simply ratify his well chosen words.Le Roy and Corbett put the student in the driver's seat with powerful but easy-to-use software, an excellent assortment of data sets, and for the most part well crafted assignments that nicely complement the research design topics discussed in their textbook.

Understanding the "Science" in Political Science
Microcase's workbook explains, in simple terms, how political scientists use statistics and the scientific method to explain political and social phenomena. The workbook in itself is a terrific accomplishment. Thehands-on exercises, however, are what really bring the concepts home to thereader/student. Using real social and political data, Microcase leads theuser through real statistical explorations. It's a great tool for teaching,makes a good independent-study course, and would be an excellent way tolearn a little about the "science" in poli sci on one's own. ... Read more

Product Description
This abridged edition offers the same personal, engaging introduction to political science as the full-length text in a shorter format--ideal for professors who incorporate outside readings into their courses. Topics include the nature of politics, political institutions, behavior, and ideologies within a comparative framework. Lawson's accessible writing style aids student comprehension and makes difficult concepts and unfamiliar terms understandable through clear explanations and an end-of-text glossary of key terms. A shift from a state-centered emphasis on interdependence to a broader look at globalization runs throughout the text and includes material on global organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF, and the WTO. In addition, most chapters feature new topics, including terrorism worldwide; the roots of terrorism and how nations guard against it; and post-9/11 issues in the U.S. such as civil rights and public health. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

the human polity
this book is over priced.Along with any others that I looked its probablycheaper to get it at your local bookstore. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
In order to venture into explanations of political action we need a map of our basic options: what types of examinations are out there? Even advanced students and scholars can find the landscape difficult to navigate. They confront a bewildering maze of partial typologies, contrasting uses of terms, and debates over what counts as an explanation.
How to Map Arguments in Political Science provides a basic map and toolkit for analysis in political science that references political examples and a wide range of material from the political science literature. While common terms--structural, institutional, ideational, and psychological logics--form the sectors of the map, this book is unique in its arguments regarding how to best define these terms. Adopting a systematic and exhaustive framework, it defines the main analytical approaches in ways that facilitate both competition and combination. Finally, it leads to revisions of prevailing views on philosophy of science and research design to encourage more open and rigorous debates. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Comprehensive review of the relevant literature
If you are studying for comprehensive exams in political science, this is a very useful book!! ... Read more

Product Description

This book contains some of the newest, most exciting ideas now percolating among political scientists, from hallway conversations to conference room discussions. To spur future research, enrich classroom teaching, and direct non-specialist attention to cutting-edge ideas, a distinguished group of authors from various parts of this sprawling and pluralistic discipline has each contributed a brief essay about a single novel or insufficiently appreciated idea on some aspect of political science. The one hundred essays are concise, no more than a few pages apiece, and informal. While the contributions are highly diverse, readers can find unexpected connections across the volume, tracing echoes as well as diametrically opposed points of view. This book offers compelling points of departure for everyone who is concerned about political science -- whether as a scholar, teacher, student, or interested reader.

Product Description
The revised edition of this highly successful text provides a clear and accessible introduction to some of the most important questions of political philosophy. Organized around major issues, Wolff provides the structure that beginners need, while also introducing some distinctive ideas of his own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent Intro to a tough subject
This is an excellent introduction to a very tough subject.Jonathan Wolff takes the reader through the very beginnings of political thought and philosophies on what is the State, why do we need the State, and all the way through all of the different questions that have concerned political philosophers since Ancient Greece.The author does a very good job of keeping the material engaging and explaining the various theories and methods at arriving at said theories without ever specifically endorsing one single theory.

The perfect introduction
This is probably the best introduction available, being lucid and succinct, it also takes just the right approach to the subject for the beginner. Instead of a chapter by chapter guide to the main thinkers or theories, Wolff cleverly structures the book in such a way that the student is gently coaxed into exploring the fundamental questions of political philosophy for himself.

The author notes at the beginning that it is sometimes said that 'who gets what?' and 'who says so?' are the only two questions of importance in the subject. Whilst denying this to be entirely the case, Wolff puts these questions firmly into intial context by asking why we need the state at all and then proceeds to ask if we do need the state, who indeed should govern it? He then explores the issue of the distribution of goods before returning to the 'who says who gets what?' and by the end of the book the reader should be able to explore that question through the lenses of the competing theories of today, such as feminism or communitarianism.

I was lucky enough to have the author as one of my lecturers at university and, indeed, to take my tutorials in political philosophy in my final year. As a working class student with zero self-esteem and who was failing abjectly to mix within the rarefied air of an elite university, Mr Wolff (unlike certain snobs and marxist posers) admirably strived to boost my confidence and every student found his tutorials and lectures to be models of patience and clarity. This book is imbubed with those qualities throughout and thus can't be recommended highly enough. Whether you are a high school student or a 1st year undergraduate, this book will have you asking the right questions and should put you in the perfect position to look in closer detail at the major issues.

Do you need an Introduction????? This is it!!!
This is a very good introduction...I mean VERY good. I have not finished it yet but I can tell you that it is written in such a way that you really get all the substance without sweat...and also..you simply do not want to put the book down...really a page turner. They way Mr Wolff presents the differents views on each issue is excellent!!!
Interested in Political Philosophy??? This should be your book of choice.

Excellent Introduction
I found this to be a great introduction to political philosophy. In an unbiased manner, Jonathan Wolff reviews the central ideas that are fundamental to the field: the state of nature, how one justifies the formation of the state, how to pick rulers, liberty, distribution of property, individualism, justice, rights, democracy, utilitarianism, and social contracts. He also reviews ideas of the major thinkers -- Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, etc.The book is organized by TOPIC, not by thinker, which is a format that I find was best suited for learning & for tying different thinker's ideas together. The writing is clear, simple, and chatty; it seems to have been written for college freshman. The only minor fault is that the book does not cover some major figures in political theory that I would have included: Aristotle & Machiavelli were not mentioned, for example.However, overall, I'd recommend this book. I'm keeping it on my bookself for reference.

Excellent book!
This was required reading for my philosophy class.It is very thorough, but still understandable. This book is at the base of my entire understanding of political philosophy, and I still rely on it from time to time. For anyone in philosophy, Lincoln-Douglas debate, or just are interested, READ THIS! ... Read more

Product Description
Learn to write a great research paper with WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER IN POLITICAL SCIENCE! This concise political science text is more than just a typical research methods text - it helps you master writing, methodological, and research skills with ease. Topics covered include how to develop a research question, write a literature review, design a study, analyze information, write introductory and concluding sections, and edit and revise a paper. With a glossary, writing checklists, and examples of different parts of papers written by actual undergraduates, this political science text provides you with the tools you need to write a good research paper. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Poli Sci Book Review
If I didn't need this book for my Poli Sci class, I wouldn't have bought it. There were parts that were a bit repetitive but that's to be expected from any academic source. There were parts that were helpful so this book wasn't a complete waste of money. So for my overall opinion of it: complete indifference. I neither liked nor disliked this book.

not very organized
I recently used this book for my undergraduate political science class. The class mostly consisted of Freshmen and Sophomores, but had a decent amount of Juniors and Seniors in it as well. None of them liked this book. In fact, I have never had one of my textbook choices received more poorly by students. In week three of the quarter, my students collectively "petitioned" me to stop using this book.

I originally adopted the book after seeing the table of contents, which looked very promising, and after reading a few positive reviews about it. I was looking for a short, concise guide that would teach my students how to write a good research paper in political science. While I still believe that the intentions of the author were wonderful (because there is a definite need for such a book and a shortage of similar titles), it just doesn't work in its current form.

The main problem my students had was that they found the book extremely difficult to follow. Many of them said they read and re-read the assigned chapters multiple times, but still could not make sense of it. While this may seem like a popular "excuse" of college students, the fact that I heard this complaint so frequently - even from some of my best - makes me believe that they told the truth.

The important concepts are not very well explained and the examples that are supposed to illustrate them are confusing and too narrow (i.e. primarily focused on theory/philosophy, which is a very different type of political science paper than most of the other subfields). The text also "jumps around" quite a bit. For instance, the different types of variables in political science research (independent, dependent, discreet, ordinal, interval, etc.) are discussed in different sections of the book, making it difficult for students to get a clear picture. Other aspects of writing a paper are explained only in the vaguest form (e.g. the literature review).

On a positive note, the checklists at the end of each chapter are relatively useful, provided, of course, that students have actually learned how to check of each block.

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Excellent Resource!
This is a great book, especially for upper-level, undergraduate classes (although it would be very helpful for first-year graduate students, too).It does an excellent job of helping students combine what they learn in their substantive classes with their methods training and writing skills.I'll be assigning it in my class next semester! ... Read more

Product Description
Most world leaders agree that nuclear terrorism represents the gravest international security challenge today. Many scholars and practitioners, however, argue that the United States remains ill-prepared to cope with this serious and real threat. What role should the U.S. play in confronting and combating this danger? Is nuclear terrorism preventable? What steps have the U.S. already taken to prevent a nuclear catastrophe and what future steps should the U.S. government take? Esteemed scholars, scientists and policymakers address these crucial questions from all sides – strategic, tactical, ideological, and technical. This special volume of The ANNALS clarifies and assesses that threat of a nuclear terrorist attack and examines possible solutions for preventing such a catastrophic event. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Possibly the best edited volume on the issue
I have spent a year now researching nuclear terrorism, and find this volume possibly the most helpful of all. It contains a fine array of excellent accounts of many facets of nuclear terrorism by the best experts there are, like Bunn and Wier and Hecker, and edited by Allison, himself quite a capacity in the field. While these names might not tell you much, I'm telling you they are authorities in their field. Don't let the 'scientific paper' format scare you off: these papers read like a novel. Along with Ferguson and Potter's "The four faces of nuclear terrorism", this edited volume covers just about all you need about this dreadful threat.

How Do We Get This Book Read By the Politicians
I hate to say it, but I find this little book almost (note almost) amusing.

We know that there are people out there who hate us. We know that they would like to use nuclear devices to attack us. We know that getting things into this country is not that difficult (witness drugs). We know that nuclear devices are not difficult to build - The US built them sixty years ago, and so far as we know no country that has attempted to build one has failed.

So one day, it seems likely that someone will set one off somewhere.

They there will be all kinds of crying about how there was plenty of evidence it was happening (yes, it's in this book), and why didn't 'they' do something about it.

Perhaps because as in the election just passed the hot topics were Iraq, the price of gasoline, illegal immigration, and look at all these bad things that my opponent has done. And you can be that the people we elected haven't read this book. I'd send a copy to my elected officials, but they wouldn't read it. ... Read more

Product Description
W. W. Norton & Company and the American Political Science Association are pleased to announce the publication of the Centennial Edition of Political Science: State of the Discipline. Editors Ira Katznelson and Helen V. Milner of Columbia University sought to "reflect the vibrant, often contested, diversity of political science while chronicling the past decade's scholarship and prompting thought about future directions."

Breaking away from a traditional organization around the four major fields of political science, the editors chose to create a framework that focuses first on the state, followed by democracy, then agency, and concluding with means of inquiry.

This handsome, clothbound volume is an important resource for all scholars interested in reading across fields and includes an essential unified bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You have to read this book
For everyone interested in the actual state of Political Science (especially in the US), this is a must.The most important topics of Political Science are discussed, starting with an historical overview of the main subjects and then discussing the actual situation in that part of the discipline.An overwheming source of information. This book deserves to be recommended to every professional and to everyone interested in Political Science. ... Read more

Product Description
At the turn of the millennium there has been a major growth of interest in institutional theory and institutional analysis in political science. This book identifies these approaches to institutions, and provides a frame of reference for the different theories. In the past decade there has been a major growth of interest in institutional theory and institutional analysis in political science. There are, however, a variety of different approaches to the new institutionalism' and these approaches rarely address the same issues. This book identifies the various approaches to institutions, and then provides a common frame of reference for the different theories. Peters argues that there are at least seven versions of institutionalism, beginning with the March and Olsen 'normative institutionalism', and including rational choice, historical and empirical approaches to institutions and their impact on public policy. For each of the versions of institutionalism them is a set of identical questions, including the definition of institutions, the way in which they are formed, how they change, how individuals and institutions interact, and the nature of a 'good institution'. Peters discusses whether them are really so many different approaches to institutionalism, or if there is sufficient agreement among them to argue that there is really one institutional theory. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Re-Energizing Instituionalism
The institutional approach to exploring political phenomenon has been a valuable tool in political science nearly from the inception of the field.Since the era of the Greek academy, political scientists have sought the perfect form of government (Peters 1999). One of means used in an attempt to discover this ideal arrangement was the comparison of a variety of existing political institutions in order to discover which structure accomplished the task of governance in the most favorable manner.The search for the perfect government is not a question that fell with the Greek states. Rather, like the Acropolis, the quest for the perfect State remains.
However, like all things transending through the ages, political science is not free from the powers of evolution.What was once a standard approach, institutionalism had become, to many social scientists, anachronistic by the post World War II years.The idea of comparing systems was replaced to a large part by social science exploring the influence of the individual and his behavior on politics.Fields such as behavioralism and rational choice theory replaced institutionalism as the back bone of social research.
In his work, Peters attempts to bring institutionalism back in to political science.Rather than simply attempt to force new situations into old paradigms, Peters explores four sub-genres of institutionalism, titling this approach "new institutionalism."
Peters main hypothesis, it seems, is to imply that strictly relying of the individual and his behavior does not make good political science.He argues that in order to understand political phenomenon, the social scientist must combine both the individual and the institution with which the individual is in contact.By exploring these to variables the social scientist will possess a more rounded understanding of the political process, and thus effective governance.
It becomes apparent while reading Peters' work that some new institutionalism paradigms are more effective in exploring political phenomenon than others.For example Peters readily admits that theories such as historical institutionalism and empirical institutionalism make the development of theory difficult (Peters 1999, 95, 76).And in the case of historical institutionalism, it is difficult to distinguish the approach from his proposed others.
Although I believe that Peters attempt to bring the institutional approach back into political science is not only valiant in the face of his numerous opponents, but also valuable.His chapter on the rational choice theory and institutionalism is profound and indeed should make researchers, especially in comparative politics, take notice.Furthermore, in the face of the next American election, Peters ideas on societal institutionalism will prove invaluable to researchers exploring the impact of interests groups on not only political parties (institution) but also on candidates themselves (individual).
I would like to see Peters refrain from spending so much effort in what I feel is weak justification for the historical and empirical approaches to institutionalism and provide a more thorough analysis of the societal, rational choice, sociological, and to a lesser degree the normative approaches.These theories provide a more practical and useful tool in the arsenal of the political scientist.
... Read more