A novel approach to politics
Subtitle: introducing political science through media and popular culture
By: Douglas A. Van Belle, Kenneth M. Mash.
Contributors: Mash, Kenneth M.
Publisher: CQ Press
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 378
ISBN-13: 9781568028293; 9781568028293
Subjects: Political science.; Popular culture -- United States.; Politics and culture -- United States.; Mass media -- Political aspects -- United States.
Description: What if we told you that a textbook could be funny and irreverent utilizing popular books, movies, music, and television shows to introduce political science concepts? This novel approach to explaining our need for government and the intrigue of politics is a reality. Van Belle and Mash do not compromise on the content you want and need, nor do they stint on real-world political examples throughout the book. The basics and the depth are all here. The added innovation?to hook students through the popular culture theyre already plugged into. Simply put, you will never hear complaints that this is a typical or boring textbook. From references to 1984 and Lord of the Flies to mentions of The Matrix and A Clockwork Orange youll be surprised by how the core concepts of political scienceinstitutions, ideology, economics, elections, culture, national politics, and international relationsare interwoven with a highly entertaining discussion of popular culture.
Notes: Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Introducing the ancient debate : the ideal versus the real; title: Utopias, theories, and ideologies : perfect worlds and the imperfections of reality; title: Why government? : security, anarchy, and some basic group dynamics; title: Governing society : controlling the behavior of individuals; title: Government's role in the economy : the offer you can't refuse; title: Structures and institutions : this old house of commons; title: Institutions : meat and potatoes; title: The imperfections of political institutions : bugs in the machine; title: Courts and law : politics behind the gavel; title: Not quite right, but still good : the democratic ideal in modern politics; title: Media, politics, and government : talking heads are better than none; title: International politics : apocalypse now and then; title: Political culture : sex and agriculture, getting rucked explains it all; title: Birth, school, work, death : your moment of zen.