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American Difference; American Politics from a Comparative Perspective
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341 g
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Lori Poloni-Staudinger, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University. She specializes in citizen participation, at the individual and group levels, and political contention, particularly in democratic settings. Much of her work looks at gender in various contexts. She is the recent author, with Candice Ortbals, of Terrorism and Violent Conflict: Women's Agency, Leadership and Responses (2012, Springer).
Tables, Figures, and PhotographsPreface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction
What Does It Mean to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective?
Is American Democracy the Best Type of Democracy?
Why Is It Important to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective?
What to Expect in the Following Chapters
How to Use This Book
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 2: Similarities between the United States and Other Democracies
Introduction
Definition of Democracy
Procedural Democracy
Public Contestation (Competition) and Inclusion (Participation)
Freedoms
Socioeconomic Development
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 3: American Exceptionalism
Introduction
Differing Views of Governing Legitimacy
Functional Explanations for American Exceptionalism
Social Democracy and Liberal Democracy
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 4: Political Beliefs
Introduction
Political Culture
Civic Culture
Political Engagement: Political Interest
Interpersonal Trust, Reciprocity, and Social Capital
Political Efficacy: Free Choice and Control over Life
Distinction of American Cultural Beliefs
Individualism and Economy
Ideology
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 5: Political Institutions
Introduction
Majoritarian and Consociational Democracies
Governing Institutions
Vertical Organization of Government: Unitary, Federal, and Confederal Systems
National Governing Institutions
The Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch
Judiciary
Civil Law Legal Tradition Systems
Common Law Legal Tradition Systems
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 6: Interest Groups
Introduction
Interest Groups, Social Movements, and Social Movement Organizations
Interest Group Life Cycle
Pluralist Versus Neo-Corporatist Interest Group Arrangements
Why Pluralist or Neo-Corporatist?
Role of Interest Groups in the United States Historically and Today
Types of Groups
New Social Movements
How Do Groups Participate in Politics?
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 7: Political Parties
Introduction
Party History and Formation
Party Formation as a Result of Democratization
American Party Development - Why Aren't Parties as Strong?
The Nature of American Parties
Where Are the American Cleavages?
Role of Parties in Government
American Two-Party System Versus Other Party Systems
An Americanization of Parties Elsewhere or More Party Government in the United States?
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 8: Elections, Electoral Institutions, and Electoral Behavior
Introduction
Candidate Selection
Electoral Institutions
Plurality, Majority, and Proportional Representation Systems
Consequences of Electoral Systems
Context of Elections and Campaigns
Voting Behavior: Electoral Participation
Political Party Mobilization: Weak Party Organization in the United States
Campaign Information Flow
Clarity of Electoral Choice: Liberalism and Limited Government
Evaluating the Consequences of the Electoral Context on Voter Participation
Electoral Behavior: Determinants of Vote Choice
Non-Voting Behavior
Consequences of Electoral Laws, Context, and Voting for Democracy
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 9: Conclusion
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction
What Does It Mean to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective?
Is American Democracy the Best Type of Democracy?
Why Is It Important to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective?
What to Expect in the Following Chapters
How to Use This Book
Key Terms
Notes
Chapter 2: Similarities between the United States and Other Democracies
Introduction
Definition of Democracy
Procedural Democracy
Public Contestation (Competition) and Inclusion (Participation)
Freedoms
Socioeconomic Development
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 3: American Exceptionalism
Introduction
Differing Views of Governing Legitimacy
Functional Explanations for American Exceptionalism
Social Democracy and Liberal Democracy
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 4: Political Beliefs
Introduction
Political Culture
Civic Culture
Political Engagement: Political Interest
Interpersonal Trust, Reciprocity, and Social Capital
Political Efficacy: Free Choice and Control over Life
Distinction of American Cultural Beliefs
Individualism and Economy
Ideology
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 5: Political Institutions
Introduction
Majoritarian and Consociational Democracies
Governing Institutions
Vertical Organization of Government: Unitary, Federal, and Confederal Systems
National Governing Institutions
The Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch
Judiciary
Civil Law Legal Tradition Systems
Common Law Legal Tradition Systems
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 6: Interest Groups
Introduction
Interest Groups, Social Movements, and Social Movement Organizations
Interest Group Life Cycle
Pluralist Versus Neo-Corporatist Interest Group Arrangements
Why Pluralist or Neo-Corporatist?
Role of Interest Groups in the United States Historically and Today
Types of Groups
New Social Movements
How Do Groups Participate in Politics?
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 7: Political Parties
Introduction
Party History and Formation
Party Formation as a Result of Democratization
American Party Development - Why Aren't Parties as Strong?
The Nature of American Parties
Where Are the American Cleavages?
Role of Parties in Government
American Two-Party System Versus Other Party Systems
An Americanization of Parties Elsewhere or More Party Government in the United States?
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 8: Elections, Electoral Institutions, and Electoral Behavior
Introduction
Candidate Selection
Electoral Institutions
Plurality, Majority, and Proportional Representation Systems
Consequences of Electoral Systems
Context of Elections and Campaigns
Voting Behavior: Electoral Participation
Political Party Mobilization: Weak Party Organization in the United States
Campaign Information Flow
Clarity of Electoral Choice: Liberalism and Limited Government
Evaluating the Consequences of the Electoral Context on Voter Participation
Electoral Behavior: Determinants of Vote Choice
Non-Voting Behavior
Consequences of Electoral Laws, Context, and Voting for Democracy
Conclusion
Points to Remember
Key Terms
Review Questions
Suggested Readings
Notes
Chapter 9: Conclusion
Index
Americans strongly believe in the idea that our democracy is unique-is an exception, in fact, among other advanced industrialized democracies. But exactly how and why is our political system different? Poloni-Staudinger and Wolf start with the idea that each country's political priorities are influenced by the development of its political beliefs, political culture, and political institutions. They want to remind American students that our form of democracy is just one form of democracy. And if we examine components of our political system comparatively, we can better see and learn the ways in which our government is unique as well as see how other democracies function differently and successfully. This learning through contrast not only enriches students' understanding of their own political system, but this comparative context has become increasingly important as students see themselves as global citizens, competing and engaging in what is truly a globalized world and workforce. Unfortunately few American government texts offer much in the way of comparison to other countries and comparative politics books don't always situate the US in their analysis. This book fills that void with a crisply written and brief supplement.