Preface
Ancien Greek Heraclitus is said to have founded philosophy with his famous
Insight You never step in the same river twice Even in minor ways that river
Changes between the first time you cross it and the second time Heraclitus might
As well have invented political science where you never step in the same political
System twice All of them are always changing a fact that makes new editions of
Political science textbook interesting and necessary
Certainly enough has happened in the two years between the twelfth edition
And this the thirteenth edition to warrant modifications of an introductory political
Science text U.s. politics has polarized more than ever producing seemingly
Permanent budget crises China’s authoritarian capitalism presents us with a new
Ideological challenge Barack Obama’s reelection showed that a generation of
Americans had developed new perspectives that confounded both Republicans
And mainstream pollsters, who miscalled the election The Arab Spring has allowed
Us to analyze revolutions in real time, including their unhappy aftermaths
Political science instructors may take some joy in the uptick of student interest
In politics, although we cannot be sure how deep and durable this interest
May be. Budgetary cliffhangers, spending cuts, and tax increases can provoke
Discussion for some years students have been rather apolitical, a trend this book
Has always tried to fight Now we can ask them, “well, what kind of a country
Do you want you’ d better start developing your own rational perspectives now
Because soon you will have to make political choices.’’
Political Science An Introduction seeks to blend scholarship and citizenship. It
Does not presume that freshmen taking an intro course will become professional political
Scientists Naturally, we hope to pique their curiosity so that some will major
In political science This is neither a U.S. government text nor a comparative politics
Text. Instead, it draws examples from the United States and from other lands to introduce
The whole field of political science to new students. Fresh from high school, few
Students know much of other political systems, something we attempt to correct.
The thirteenth edition continues our eclectic approach that avoids selling any
Single theory, conceptual framework , or paradigm as the key to political science
Attempts to impose a grand design are both unwarranted by the nature of the
Discipline and not conducive to the broadening of students, intellectual horizons
Instructors with a wide variety of viewpoints have no trouble using this text Above
All, the thirteenth edition still views politics as exciting and tries to communicate
That feeling to young people approaching the discipline for the first time