Description:
For students of American government, this book covers the foundations, institutions, and processes of "the great American experiment" with a clear and resonant theme: that we are still "approaching" democracy and not emobodying it.
Review Quotes:
Praise for Approaching Democracy: American Democracy in Times of Challenge
"This volume is innovative for its approach to the study of American Democracy. Features that encourage critical reflections on American exceptionalism and compel the reader to place themselves at the center of civic debates facilitate active learning and foster engaged citizenship. This is the right text for our political times when inviting students into the processcould not be more critical for democracy."
--Anna Mitchell Mahoney, Tulane University
"Approaching Democracy neatly and efficiently captures the essential terminology, concepts, conceptualizations, and debates that are at the heart of understanding American politics and government, both in its current form and in its past iterations. It also effectively examines both substantive and analytical considerations related to identity politics and those increasingly significant aspects of American life."
--Stephen R. Routh, Stanislaus State University
"Approaching Democracy presents the foundations of American politics situated in the context of our unique moment in time. The authors weave together centuries-old concepts underlying American democracy with the consequential and controversial debates that are unfolding today before students' eyes."
--Samara Klar, University of Arizona
"This was one of the first textbooks I adopted when I began teaching undergraduate courses in American government, and I plan to resume using it. I am pleased to see that the newest edition addresses current social and political events while making the study of the intersectional identities of race, class, gender, sexuality, etc. a prominent feature throughout the book."
--Ray Block Jr., Pennsylvania State University