In recent years, many Americans and more than a few political scientists have come to believe that democratic deliberation in Congress—whereby judgments are made on the merits of policies reflecting the interests and desires of American citizens—is more myth than reality. Rather, pressure from special interest groups, legislative bargaining, and the desire of incumbents to be reelected are thought to originate in American legislative politics. While not denying such influences, Joseph M. Bessette argues that the institutional framework created by the founding fathers continues to foster a government that is both democratic and deliberative, at least to some important degree. Drawing on original research, case studies of policymaking in Congress, and portraits of American lawmakers, Bessette demonstrates not only the limitations of nondeliberative explanations for how laws are made but also the continued vitality of genuine reasoning on the merits of public policy. Bessette discusses the contributions of the executive branch to policy deliberation, and looks at the controversial issue of the proper relationship of public opinion to policymaking. Informed by Bessette's nine years of public service in city and federal government, The Mild Voice of Reason offers important insights into the real workings of American democracy, articulates a set of standards by which to assess the workings of our governing institutions, and clarifies the forces that promote or inhibit the collective reasoning about common goals so necessary to the success of American democracy. "No doubt the best-publicized recent book-length work on Congress is columnist George Will's diatribe in praise of term limits in which the core of his complaint is that Congress does not deliberate in its decision-making. Readers who are inclined to share that fantasy would do well to consult the work of Joseph M. Bessette. He turns up massive amounts of material attesting to the centrality of deliberation in congressional life."—Nelson W. Polsby, Presidential Studies Quarterly

The Mild Voice of Reason: Deliberative Democracy and American National Government (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

Politics & Social Sciences

Bessette, Joseph M.

Politics & Government

University of Chicago Press

In recent years, many Americans and more than a few political scientists have come to believe that democratic deliberation in Congress—whereby judgments are made on the merits of policies reflecting the interests and desires of American citizens—is more myth than reality. Rather, pressure from special interest groups, legislative bargaining, and the desire of incumbents to be reelected are thought to originate in American legislative politics. While not denying such influences, Joseph M. Bessette argues that the institutional framework created by the founding fathers continues to foster a government that is both democratic and deliberative, at least to some important degree. Drawing on original research, case studies of policymaking in Congress, and portraits of American lawmakers, Bessette demonstrates not only the limitations of nondeliberative explanations for how laws are made but also the continued vitality of genuine reasoning on the merits of public policy. Bessette discusses the contributions of the executive branch to policy deliberation, and looks at the controversial issue of the proper relationship of public opinion to policymaking. Informed by Bessette's nine years of public service in city and federal government, The Mild Voice of Reason offers important insights into the real workings of American democracy, articulates a set of standards by which to assess the workings of our governing institutions, and clarifies the forces that promote or inhibit the collective reasoning about common goals so necessary to the success of American democracy. "No doubt the best-publicized recent book-length work on Congress is columnist George Will's diatribe in praise of term limits in which the core of his complaint is that Congress does not deliberate in its decision-making. Readers who are inclined to share that fantasy would do well to consult the work of Joseph M. Bessette. He turns up massive amounts of material attesting to the centrality of deliberation in congressional life."—Nelson W. Polsby, Presidential Studies Quarterly

Bessette/Pitney's AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: DELIBERATION, DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP, First Edition, is based on the idea of "deliberative democracy": political systems work best when informed citizens and public officials deliberate to identify and promote the common good. Emphasizing citizenship, the text examines the way that civic culture and immigration impact students and shape the country. It offers solid historical coverage and a close look at civic responsibility.

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy, and Citizenship - No Separate Policy Chapters (Available Titles CourseMate)

Education & Teaching

Pitney, John J.

Schools & Teaching

Wadsworth Publishing

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: DELIBERATION, DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP, has three underlying principles: Citizenship, History and Democracy. Authors Joseph Bessette and John Pitney, Jr. examine the way that civic culture affects students and shapes the country, and take a close look at civic responsibility.

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship, No Separate Policy Chapters, Election Update

Cengage Learning'

This "Election Update" edition of Bessette/Pitney's AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: DELIBERATION, DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP, is complete with 2010 election information. Like its previous edition, the text has three underlying principles: Citizenship, History and Democracy. Via two unique chapters -- Chapter 4: American Citizenship and Chapter 5: Civic Culture -- authors Joseph Bessette and John Pitney, Jr. examine the way that civic culture shapes the country and take a close look at civic responsibility. "Deliberative democracy" -- the concept that political systems work best when informed citizens and public officials deliberate to identify and promote the common good -- is considered throughout the text.

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship, Election Update

American Government and Politics, Texas Edition asks students to consider what U.S. citizenship really means. Unique chapters on citizenship and civic culture focus on the issues of civic participation and the implications of good citizenship. Combined with 7 chapters on Texas Politics, this textbook will fulfill the two semester sequence of American Government/Texas Politics by providing thorough coverage of the importance of the founding of our country and on the meaning of citizenship.

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship, Texas Edition

Brown, Lyle

Langenegger, Joyce A.

Garcia, Sonia

American Government and Politics, Texas Edition

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship (Available Titles CourseMate)

This three-volume set begins its examination of the American Justice system on a broad scope. Then, following cross-references appearing at the end of the articles readers can turn to specific areas and/or cases.

American Justice (Ready Reference)

Salem Press

Rules & Procedures

NewNow Instant Access Code for Bessette/Pitney/Brown/Langenegger/Garcia/Lewis/Biles' American Government and Politics: Texas Edition

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bessette, Joseph M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bessette, Joseph M.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bessette, Joseph M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Mild Voice of Reason: Deliberative Democracy and American National Government (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

The Mild Voice of Reason: Deliberative Democracy and American National Government (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy, and Citizenship - No Separate Policy Chapters (Available Titles CourseMate)

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship, No Separate Policy Chapters, Election Update

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship, Election Update

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship, Texas Edition

American Government and Politics, Texas Edition

American Government and Politics: Deliberation, Democracy and Citizenship (Available Titles CourseMate)

American Justice (Ready Reference)

NewNow Instant Access Code for Bessette/Pitney/Brown/Langenegger/Garcia/Lewis/Biles' American Government and Politics: Texas Edition