Rethinking American Electoral Democracy (Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation)

While frustration with various aspects of American democracy abound in the United States, there is little agreement over―or even understanding of―what kinds of changes would make the system more effective and increase political participation. Matthew J. Streb sheds much needed light on all the major concerns of the electoral process in this timely book on improving American electoral democracy.  This critical examination of the rules and institutional arrangements that shape the American electoral process analyzes the major debates that embroil scholars and reformers on subjects ranging from the number of elections we hold and the use of nonpartisan elections, to the presidential nominating process and campaign finance laws. Ultimately, Streb argues for a less burdensome democracy, a democracy in which citizens can participate more easily in transparent, competitive elections. This book is designed to get students of elections and American political institutions to think critically about what it means to be democratic and how democratic the United States really is.  Part of the Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation series, edited by Matthew J. Streb.

Politics & Social Sciences

Streb, Matthew J.

Politics & Government

Routledge

While frustration with various aspects of American democracy abound in the United States, there is little agreement over―or even understanding of―what kinds of changes would make the system more effective and increase political participation. Matthew J. Streb sheds much needed light on all the major concerns of the electoral process in this timely book on improving American electoral democracy. This critical examination of the rules and institutional arrangements that shape the American electoral process analyzes the major debates that embroil scholars and reformers on subjects ranging from the number of elections we hold and the use of nonpartisan elections, to the presidential nominating process and campaign finance laws. Ultimately, Streb argues for a less burdensome democracy, a democracy in which citizens can participate more easily in transparent, competitive elections. This book is designed to get students of elections and American political institutions to think critically about what it means to be democratic and how democratic the United States really is. Part of the Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation series, edited by Matthew J. Streb.

Is the cure for the ills of democracy more democracy? Is it possible to have too much democracy in a well-functioning government? What should an electoral democracy ideally look like?   In this critical examination of the state of electoral democracy in the United States, Matthew Streb provides an analysis of the major debates that rage among scholars and reformers on subjects as diverse as the number of elections we hold, the use of nonpartisan elections, and the presidential primary process. Ultimately, Streb makes an argument for a less burdensome democracy, a democracy in which citizens can participate more easily. Written in a clear and engaging style, this book is designed to get students to think critically about what it means to be democratic and how democratic the United States really is.

Is the cure for the ills of democracy more democracy? Is it possible to have too much democracy in a well-functioning government? What should an electoral democracy ideally look like? In this critical examination of the state of electoral democracy in the United States, Matthew Streb provides an analysis of the major debates that rage among scholars and reformers on subjects as diverse as the number of elections we hold, the use of nonpartisan elections, and the presidential primary process. Ultimately, Streb makes an argument for a less burdensome democracy, a democracy in which citizens can participate more easily. Written in a clear and engaging style, this book is designed to get students to think critically about what it means to be democratic and how democratic the United States really is.

Designed to teach students in introduction to American government courses to think critically about the political information they encounter, this reader provides relevant, accessible selections with a contemporary focus. Students learn to read critically though a new five-step process that binds each article. Developed by the authors, this consistent critical-thinking strategy, referred to as CLUES, asks students to Consider the source; Lay out the argument; Uncover the evidence; Evaluate the conclusion; and Sort out the political end.
To draw students' attention a special preface, To the Student, explains the critical-thinking approach of the text and introduces the tools used throughout. In every subsequent chapter an essay defines the institution or political process discussed and briefly explains the major issues, why they matter, and how the readings illustrate and explore them. Each of the 16 chapters contains three to five articles that correspond to standard topics covered in an introductory government course, including political culture, the Constitution and Federalism, civil liberties and rights, Congress, the presidency, elections, and the courts.
<ul>
<li>Engaging, contemporary articles from a variety of sources—print, broadcast, and the Internet—illustrate American government at all levels.</li>
<li>Post-it-style call out notes within the readings draw students' attention to key passages to consider as they read.</li>
<li>One classic reading per chapter, such as John F. Kennedy's inaugural address and Federalist No. 51, helps students understand and observe the changes or constants in key political arguments over time.</li>
<li>Consistent end-of-chapter questions walk students through the CLUES method of critical thinking.</li>
<li>Each chapter includes a personal account that shows the relevance of the political process to individual lives.Readings are balanced between objective and opinion-based points of view and vary in length and format to provide instructors with maximum flexibility.</li>
</ul>

Clued in to Politics: A Critical Thinking Reader in American Government

Barbour, Christine

Houghton Mifflin College Div.

Once largely ignored, judicial elections in the states have become increasingly controversial over the past two decades. Legal organizations, prominent law professors, and a retired Supreme Court justice have advocated the elimination of elections as a means to choose judges. One of their primary concerns is interest group involvement in elections to state supreme courts, which they see as having negative effects on both the courts themselves and public perceptions of these judicial bodies. In The Battle for the Court, Lawrence Baum, David Klein, and Matthew Streb present a systematic investigation into the effects of interest group involvement in the election of judges. Focusing on personal-injury law, the issue that has played the most substantial role in spurring interest group activity in judicial elections, the authors detail how interest groups mobilize in response to unfavorable rulings by state supreme courts, how their efforts influence the outcomes of supreme court elections, and how those outcomes in turn effectively reshape public policies. The authors employ several decades’ worth of new data on campaign activity, voter behavior, and judicial policy-making in one particularly colorful, important, and representative state―Ohio―to explore these connections among interest groups, elections, and judicial policy in a way that has not been possible until now.

The Battle for the Court: Interest Groups, Judicial Elections, and Public Policy (Constitutionalism and Democracy)

History

Klein, David

Baum, Lawrence

Americas

University of Virginia Press

Book by Barbour, Christine, Wright, Gerald C., Streb, Matthew J., Wolf, Michael R.

Keeping the Republic, + Clued in to Politcs, + Cq Weekly 2006 Election Edition: Power and Citizenship in American Politics

Wright, Gerald C.

Wolf, Michael R.

Cq Pr

While frustration with various aspects of American democracy abound in the United States, there is little agreement over―or even understanding of―what kinds of changes would make the system more effective and increase political participation. Matthew J. Streb sheds much-needed light on all the major concerns of the electoral process in the thoroughly revised third edition of this timely book on improving American electoral democracy.  This critical examination of the rules and institutional arrangements that shape the American electoral process analyzes the major debates that embroil scholars and reformers on subjects ranging from the number of elections we hold and the use of nonpartisan elections, to the presidential nominating process and campaign finance laws. Ultimately, Streb argues for a less burdensome democracy, a democracy in which citizens can participate more easily in transparent, competitive elections.  This book is designed to get students of elections and American political institutions to think critically about what it means to be democratic, and how democratic the United States really is.  Part of the Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation series, edited by Matthew J. Streb.

While frustration with various aspects of American democracy abound in the United States, there is little agreement over―or even understanding of―what kinds of changes would make the system more effective and increase political participation. Matthew J. Streb sheds much-needed light on all the major concerns of the electoral process in the thoroughly revised third edition of this timely book on improving American electoral democracy. This critical examination of the rules and institutional arrangements that shape the American electoral process analyzes the major debates that embroil scholars and reformers on subjects ranging from the number of elections we hold and the use of nonpartisan elections, to the presidential nominating process and campaign finance laws. Ultimately, Streb argues for a less burdensome democracy, a democracy in which citizens can participate more easily in transparent, competitive elections. This book is designed to get students of elections and American political institutions to think critically about what it means to be democratic, and how democratic the United States really is. Part of the Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation series, edited by Matthew J. Streb.

Logic of American Politics, 5th Edition + Clued into Politics, 3rd Ed.

Kousser, Thad

Jacobson, Gary C.

Kernell, Samuel

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

Books by Streb, Matthew J.

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

Rethinking American Electoral Democracy (Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation)

Rethinking American Electoral Democracy (Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation)

Rethinking American Electoral Democracy (Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation)

Rethinking American Electoral Democracy (Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation)

Clued in to Politics: A Critical Thinking Reader in American Government

The Battle for the Court: Interest Groups, Judicial Elections, and Public Policy (Constitutionalism and Democracy)

Keeping the Republic, + Clued in to Politcs, + Cq Weekly 2006 Election Edition: Power and Citizenship in American Politics

Rethinking American Electoral Democracy (Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation)

Rethinking American Electoral Democracy (Controversies in Electoral Democracy and Representation)

Logic of American Politics, 5th Edition + Clued into Politics, 3rd Ed.