The Challenge of Politics

[This is] a textbook that offers students a good introduction to the science of politics while emphasizing the moral, empirical, and prudential dimensions of politics.

--Prosper Bernard, Jr., College of Staten Island



This updated Seventh Edition of The Challenge of Politics enables students to see how the subfields of political science converge around a set of crucial questions, such as Can we as citizens and students articulate and defend a view of the good political life and its guiding political values? Can we bring political wisdom to bear on judgments about politics and public issues? and Can we develop a science of politics to help us understand significant political phenomena--the empirical realities of politics? Balancing lessons of classic and contemporary theory with contemporary politics and empirical study, the book equips students with the tools they need to explore the impact of philosophy and ideology, recognize major forms of government, evaluate empirical findings, and understand how policy issues directly affect people's lives. The updated Seventh Edition includes new material on the 2020 presidential elections, positive and negative freedom, and an expanded discussion on the effectiveness of international institutions.