The Challenge of Politics: An Introduction to Political Science

Political science is too often introduced to students as a segmented field. The Challenge of Politics instead shows how the subfields converge around a set of crucial questions: can we articulate a view of the good political life? Can we develop a science of politics to help us understand political phenomena? Can we bring political wisdom to bear on judgments about politics and public issues? Can citizens and students creatively address the future of politics?

Challenge gives students an avenue to explore the impact of philosophy and ideology, to recognize major forms of government, to evaluate empirical findings, and to understand how policy issues affect people′s lives. Throughout, the authors Neal Riemer, Douglas W. Simon, and Joseph Romance look at political dynamics of American, comparative, and international affairs.

Based on reviewer feedback, revision highlights include:

• Major streamlining to chapters 7 and 13
• Coverage of events like the global financial crisis, recent elections in the U.S. and elsewhere, and the aftermath of the Arab Spring