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How best to incorporate and tie together the philosophy, science, policies, subfields, and scholarly debates that constitute what we call “politics”? Challenge’s unique normative approach, which emphasizes politics as a humanizing endeavor that relies on values and judgment, gives purpose and direction to how students think about political science. The authors relate insights of classic political thinkers both to their modern counterparts and to the political dynamics of American, comparative, and international affairs. With its theme of politics as a scientific study, Challenge allows students to explore the impact of philosophy and ideology, to recognize major forms of government, to evaluate empirical findings, and to understand how policy issues directly affect people’s lives.

NOTABLE REVISIONS INCLUDE:
• The consolidation of chapters 3 and 4 to streamline discussion of the discipline’s main components;
• new “key questions” at the start of each chapter to help students grasp important concepts as they read.

THOROUGH UPDATING INCLUDES DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF:
• new developments in U.S. politics, from the election of Barack Obama and the appointment of Supreme Court justice Sonia Sotomayor to the decision to close Guantánamo;
• the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan;
• the continued expansion of the European Union;
• the growing violence and instability in Pakistan;
• the phenomenon of “failed states”;
• progress made toward the UN’s Millennium Development Goals; and,
• the global recession that began in 2008.

Part 1. Rules of the Game

1. Games Politicians Play
2. Politics and Choice
3. Political Science: Components, Tasks, and Controversies
4. The Physical, Social, and Cultural Environment of Politics

Part 2. Political Philosophy and Ideology

5. The Quest for the Good Political Life
6. Liberal Democracy
7. Democratic Socialism and Communism: Ideologies of the Left
8. Toward a General Understanding of Dictatorship and Authoritarian States

Part 3. Comparative and World Politics

9. The Political Values of Political Actors
10. National Politics: Culture, Constitutions, Citizens
11. National Politics: Governmental Actors
12. International Politics and the Global Community
13. Decision Making in Politics

Part 4. Political Judgment and Public Policy

14. War and Peace in the Modern Age
15. The Battle on Behalf of Human Rights
16. The Struggle for Economic Well- Being
17. The Imperative of Ecological Health

Conclusion

"[Riemer, Simon, and Romance] have succeeded greatly in providing a text that is explicitly linked to political theory throughout . . . it is well-written, sophisticated, and comprehensive."
-Excerpt from a review of The Challenge of Politics, Second Edition in Journal of Political Science Education (Vol. 4, Issue 2, 2008)

"The Challenge of Politics is an absolutely ideal text for an introductory course. I have used several texts over the years and consider this text to be by far the best that I have used. The text begins with a thoughtful discussion of politics and political science. The text then examines the ethical, empirical and prudential aspects of politics and political science helping the students see the different approaches and components of political science. The text is clearly informed by the literature in political science, but the text is not littered with arcane jargon. In short, it is concise, comprehensive in its coverage, and current in its research."

Neal Riemer (late) was the Andrew V. Stout Professor of Political Philosophy at Drew University. He was the recipient of outstanding teaching awards at both the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Drew. His books include The Revival of Democratic Theory, The Democratic Experiment, and The Future of the Democratic Revolution: Toward a More Prophetic Politics. He was editor and/or coauthor of Problems of American Government, World Affairs: Problems and Prospects, and New Thinking and Developments in International Politics: Opportunities and Dangers.

Douglas W. Simon is emeritus professor of political science at Drew University, specializing in international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, international organizations, and national security. In 1991, he was the first recipient of Drew’s Presidential Distinguished Teaching Award and that same year received the Sears Outstanding Educator Award. He has contributed to such publications as the Harvard Journal of World Affairs, East Asian Survey, Comparative Political Studies, International Studies Notes, Teaching Political Science, and Society.

Joseph Romance is a specialist on American politics and political theory. Romance is the coauthor of A Republic of Parties? Debating the Two-Party System and is a contributor to, and a coeditor of, two new books, Democracy and Excellence: Conflict or Concord? and Democracy’s Literature. His articles and reviews have appeared in American Review of Politics and Newsday, and he has contributed to numerous edited volumes, including Progressive Politics in the Global Age.

INSTRUCTOR’S RESOURCES
http://college.cqpress.com/instructors-resources/challenge
Instructor’s resources include PowerPoint lecture slides and a test bank—with multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions.

STUDENT RESOURCES
http://college.cqpress.com/cs/challenge
A full companion website includes chapter summaries, study questions, interactive flashcards, multiple-choice quizzes, and annotated web links.