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The Secretary-General of the United Nations is a unique figure in world politics. At once civil servant, the world's diplomat, lackey of the UN Security Council, and commander-in-chief of up to a hundred thousand peacekeepers, he or she depends on states for both the legitimacy and resources that enable the United Nations to function. The tension between these roles - of being secretary or general - has challenged every incumbent. This book brings together the insights of senior UN staff, diplomats and scholars to examine the normative and political factors that shape this unique office with particular emphasis on how it has evolved in response to changing circumstances such as globalization and the onset of the 'war on terror'. The difficulties experienced by each Secretary-General reflect the profound ambivalence of states towards entrusting their security, interests or resources to an intergovernmental body. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The most impossible job in the world
A very good summary of the experience of the past Secretary-General ... Read more

Product Description

With a focus on competition for resources, this balanced, but provocative text uses Harold Laswell's classic definition of politics–“Who gets what, when, and how”–as a framework for presenting a clear, cohesive and stimulating introduction to the American political system.

Thomas Dye, along with new co-author Bartholomew Sparrow, has written a lively and absorbing narrative examining the struggle for power that is American politics: the participants, the stakes, the processes, and the institutions.  Numerous feature boxes explore timely issues, draw cross-cultural comparisons, promote critical thinking, and provoke thoughtful opinions.  The Texas Edition of this classic text includes the same coverage as the comprehensive version, but includes 7 additional chapters on Texas politics. 

With the intense political conflict of the most expensive presidential campaign in American history and the hotly-contested primary campaigns that led to the national conventions in 2008, Politics in America’s theme of the constant competition for power and resources–“who gets what”–has never been more relevant.

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent!Book new like.
I will buy again from this seller.Book in excellent, like new condition!Included CD

Great Deal!
This is a serious seller who tries best to satisfy customers.
I strongly recommend him.

p.s. The product is like new.

Politics in America, National Version by Thomas R. Dye [Hardcover]
I am well satisfied with the purchase of this book, Great seller and price.

good overview of government, though a bit biased
Overall this book is a good overview of the american political system. The structures of the beurocracy, executive, congressional, and judicial branches are covered very thoroughly. However, I found that the author inserted a bit too much of his own Republican biases in it. There is a whole section devoted to "government waste" - a common election tactic by Republicans. While it is true that the government is wasteful- all beurocracies are to some extent- a recent survey showed the US gov't to be the 3rd most efficient in the world. Also, sprinkled throughout the book are convinient three paragraph long and very shallow "Counterpoints" which try to convince readers of republican principles from the flat tax to the abolition of affirmative action. The most egragrious offenses come in various profiles "people in polics" of various leaders in politics. Invariably, the Republicans profiled have their personal strengths asserted with a folksy charm, while the Democrats are given a far away overview as well as mention of some trivial personal faults (Barbara Boxer's overdrafts from the House banks- a trivial issue in the big picture of things- is in her bio). And of course there are also the "Liberal ratings" in it- with the late Paul Wellstone topping the list. In addition to all of this, the general wording of the book and word choice used betrays the clearly Republican biases of the author. Overall the book is not a bad book, it does a good and thorough job at outlining the structure of the federal government, however, reader beware of the biases of the author.

Good introductory-level textbook.
I just finished taking a class called "Introduction to AmericanPolitics" and this was our only textbook.I found the textbook to beeasy to read, clearly written, and factually accurate.I fear that manystudents, like myself, who have already studied some in this area may findthe book to be too simplified, and will get bored reading about the basicsof material which is already familiar to them.The book is great for thenovice, but is definitely not upperclassmen material. ... Read more

Product Description
This book examines the political uses of official apologies in the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Nobles explores why minority groups demand such apologies and why governments do or do not offer them. She argues that apologies can help to alter the terms and meanings of national membership. Minorities demand apologies in order to focus attention on historical injustices, the rectification of which, they argue, should guide changes in present-day government policies. When employed by political actors, apologies play an important, if under appreciated, role in bringing certain views about history and moral obligation to bear in public life. ... Read more

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With new engaging features and as part of the Wadsworth Advantage Series, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: BRIEF EDITION, 2008-2009 highlights today's controversial issues and shows how you can become involved in American government and make a difference as an active, informed citizen. Praised for its balanced and up-to-the-minute coverage, this book focuses on the fundamentals -- the constitutional, governmental, political, social, and economic structures and processes that are the core of American government. The text also includes coverage of policy and analysis issues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Trustworthy
I was completely satisfied with the book. It was in very good condition just like they said. I would definitely shop with them again. Shipping arrived on time just like the shipping rates estimated.

great service!
I really appreciate how quickly this book arrived! It also was in really good quality--just like they said it would be! I usually don't write reviews but I definitely felt the need to write a good one this time!

american goverment
did not send the book on time and sent a threating email after three emials were sent by me

Pol Sci Book
Is was a book for class so there's not much to comment. i got exactly what i ordered and it was brand new. It arrived in the time promised. so i am a satisfied customer. The book is actually a great book. its short and concise.

Excellent Resource Material for any College Government Class!
American Government and Politics Today explains the entire process of government from it's earliest roots to modern day times. It explains why and what an electoral college is. It has clear cut definitions on the sides of the pages making vocabulary work extremely easy. It has interesting tidbits about the history of politics, lobbyists, and the two party system. I found the text to be comfortable to read as a bit of light reading and this book has been beyond value to my Government class studies. If you are looking for
a good reference book, whether or not you need it as a required textbook for
a government class or not, I'd recommend this book. It would help any government classes or political science you take in the future. ... Read more

Product Description

In addition to a well-chosen set of classic readings, Contending Perspectives also offers students access to cutting-edge research. By framing chapters around a central question in the field, the editors are able to show students how scholars approach inquiry with different perspectives, producing controversy and consensus in interesting and instructive ways. With these selections, students see work with data, theory, and analysis at its best and set in proper context not pieces chosen just for their currency or for pages of colorful detail. Chapter introductions and selection headnotes offer important background and critical thinking questions.

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In an election year that has defied expectations, scuttled predictions, and demonstrated that “politics as usual” is often anything but, a distinctive new textbook publishes that helps students make sense of our politics and government.

This engaging new book’s unique approach emphasizes and explores causal questions in American politics.  It gives student critical thinking tools–tools pulled directly from a social scientist’s playbook–to start answering those questions, see past today’s headlines, and understand why things really happen in our political world.

This exciting new text is written in a clear, straightforward style brimming with rich, real world examples. It not only covers the fundamentals of American government and politics in a highly accessible, engaging fashion, but also arms students with the tools to separate political fact from fiction.  Using this book, students will develop the skills to see through the simplistic sound bites and partisan assertions they’re subjected to by the pundits and politicians.

Students reading this text will be fitted with armor against the partisan bickering and hyperbolic media coverage that causes so many of them to become cynical about politics.  They will come away from the text not only excited by political questions, but with the means to explore possible answers as more thoughtful, critical, and empowered citizens.

Customer Reviews (1)

The entire textbook was covered with highlightings.
When i looked up this text book it was written that it contain just a few highlighting, but that was not the case. It was totally highlighted. I didn't like it at all. ... Read more

Product Description
Analyzing the triumphs and failures of race relations within the Castro regime, this book challenges arguments that the regime eliminated racial inequality or that it was profoundly racist. Through interviews, historical materials, and survey research, it provides a balanced view that demonstrates how much of Cuban racial ideology was actually left unchanged by the revolution. Finally, the book maintains that despite these shortcomings, the regime remains popular among the black minorities because they perceive their alternatives in the U.S. within the Miami Exile community to be far worse. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Highly Recommended
This is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in what life in Cuba is really like. ... Read more

Product Description
The Politics of Protest offers both an historical overview and an analytical framework for understanding social movements and political protest in the context of American politics. The book suggests that protest movements, while clearly located in our nation's history from the Boston Tea Party to the Civil Rights Movement, are by no means confined to the distant past. It argues that to understand our political system, and our social world, we need to understand protest movements. The Politics of Protest begins with a brief history of social movements in the United States from the development of the American Republic. It then moves on to an introduction of the social impulse to protest, considers the strategies and tactics of social movements, looks at the institutional response to protest, and finally considers the policy ramifications. Each chapter includes a brief narrative of a key movement that illustrates the topic in the chapter. These narratives--addressing such diverse topics as Dorothy Day's Catholic Workers protest against nuclear fallout drills in the 1950s, the Greensboro civil rights sit-in in 1960, and the so-called Battle in Seattle anti-globalization rally--draw students in and give them a clear sense of how and why this matters to them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good introduction but a little background could help
This a good introductory text and I am using it as my text for an intro undergrad class.My only negative comment is that much of academics is a progression from previous theories.It would have helped if he had provided more background on previous theories and shown how his perspective is a progression from these earlier models.While his points are comprehensible without prior knowledge of the social movements literature, my novice students find it diffult to fully understand without at least a little background.

A Very Good Book
Meyer has written a clear, sensible, engaging book on a topic too often obscured by academic code. Meyer is good at showing what the connections are between institutional and non-institutional politics, and goes well beyond the simple assertion that these connections exist.Where others often lament these connections or use them to shed doubt on the actual accomplishments of social movements (i.e., "the system was adjusting anyway"), Meyer shows both that American political structures tend toward incremental change and that action outside of these structures sometimes brings more rapid and systemic change, but that this extra-institutional action is also limited by the durability of our constitutional system. Meyer takes policy change seriously, too, but unlike the change-would-have-happened-anyway crowd, he also calls our attention to the dynamics by which movements and authorities attempt to claim credit for change. Thus, in the end, however pessimistic Meyer can be about the prospects for radical change driven by social movements, he cautions against those who downplay the importance of social movements and protest in contemporary American life.This is a perfect introductory text for a class, and one that is usable at both graduate and undergraduate levels. ... Read more

Product Description
The Essentials of Comparative Politics family— including a core textbook, reader, and casebook of country studies—is the most comprehensive, flexible, and affordable package for introductory courses.For this Second Edition, each book has been revised to best complement the others and updated to reflect recent developments.

This set of case studies uses the conceptual framework from Essentials of Comparative Politics, Second Edition, to support critical comparison of the government and politics of twelve countries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Case study
Took forever to arrive, maybe cause it came from far away, but it looked new and clean even though it was a used book

great text, great reference.
this is a great text for students in political science.it breaks down the regime, government structure, history and demographics of i think twelve different countries.this text will stay in my library, unlike others which i quickly sell back once the semester is done.

Good text
I used this book for a comparative politics class.The book dedicates a chapter on each of several nations (France, Nigeria, UK, USA, Pakistan, and others).Easy to read and interesting. ... Read more

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Increasingly a spectator sport, electoral politics have become bitterly polarized by professional consultants and lobbyists and have been boiled down to the distributive mantra of "who gets what." In Everyday Politics, Harry Boyte transcends partisan politics to offer an alternative. He demonstrates how community-rooted activities reconnect citizens to engaged, responsible public life, and not just on election day but throughout the year. Boyte demonstrates that this type of activism has a rich history and strong philosophical foundation. It rests on the stubborn faith that the talents and insights of ordinary citizens—from nursery school to nursing home—are crucial elements in public life.

Drawing on concrete examples of successful public work projects accomplished by diverse groups of people across the nation, Boyte demonstrates how citizens can master essential political skills, such as understanding issues in public terms, mapping complex issues of institutional power to create alliances, raising funds, communicating, and negotiating across lines of difference. He describes how these skills can be used to address the larger challenges of our time, thereby advancing a renewed vision of democratic society and freedom in the twenty-first century.

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This fully revised third edition of Michael Yahuda's extremely successful textbook brings the region bang up-to-date, introducing students to the international politics of the Asia-Pacific region since 1945. As well as assessing the post-cold War uncertainties that challenged balance and power with the region, Yahuda also examines the first decade of the new millennium which includes no let up on the 'war on terror', new political administrations in all the key player-states and increased cooperative security between some nations, polarised by volatile relationships between others. Anyalzing politics in terms of global, regional and local trends, this new edition features:

• In-depth discussion of the Bush administration legacy and where the new US administration's vision takes their policy
• Analysis of post-Koizumi/post-Abe Japan
• Examination of the continued Rise of China in terms of politics, security and economic dominance
• Ongoing debates concerning the 'war on terror' and how this shifts, forms and reforms relationships
• Asia-Pacific security issues

This new third edition will continue to be a core text for students of Asian politics, international relations and Cold war history

Product Description
Compact and jargon-free, this book focuses on the major issues and themes of comparative politics. It limits its focus to ten major countries so readers won't be overwhelmed by excessive details.Democratization and globalization. Political issues and changes in developing countries. Alternative institutional frameworks. The effects of socioeconomic cleavages. Non-western cultures and values. Electoral systems. New directions in comparative research. For anyone wanting a readable introduction to comparative politics and a broader understanding of world politics. ... Read more

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For sophomere/junior level courses in International Relations or World Politics in Departments of Political Science.This text provides an integrated framework for analysis of international politics by linking various approaches of study into a coherent whole. ... Read more

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A core American politics textbook, complete with a range of free teaching ancillaries The American political system is extraordinary and complex. Samuel Kernell and Gary Jacobson help students develop a sophisticated appreciation of the possibilities and limits of American politics. Encouraged to think and not merely to memorise facts, students will come to understand why political institutions, the politicians who occupy them, and the citizens who monitor and respond to their actions, behave as they do. A nation as large and diverse as the United States faces enormous challenges. Kernell and Jacobson analyse political institutions and practices as (imperfect) solutions to problems facing people who need to act collectively, highlighting throughout the text such obstacles as conflicts over values and interests, the difficulty of agreeing on a course of action, and the problem of free riding. They describe how the choices made to resolve such problems at one moment affect politics in the future, long after the problems have faded.The intelligible logic of American politics is analysed further in three sets of thematic boxes that appear throughout the text: "The Logic of Politics" boxes dissect the design of various political institutions in light of the objectives they were intended to achieve "Strategy and Choice" boxes, new to the second edition, show how officeholders and those seeking to influence them employ institutions to advance their goals. "Politics to Policy" boxes show how public policies reflect the institutions that produce them and evaluate institutional capacity to solve America's problems. Public policy is treated as an integral subject and is examined throughout the book, rather than in separate chapters that are often left unassigned. "Politics into Policy" boxes, in particular, extend the authors' analysis, looking at such issues as: the tightening of the borders in the wake of terrorists attacks, how smoking evolved from a private to a public issue, and the decades-long battle over campaign finance reform.Special features include:* Chapters open with lively and topical stories that draw students in* Thematic questions at the beginning of each chapter serve both to preview important themes and to get students thinking critically. * An abundance of carefully produced or selected tables, figures, photographs, and other visuals, thoroughly updated for the second edition, illustrate and expand on the text. Captions enrich or exemplify points of discussion. New exercises on the accompanying website help students learn to interpret the graphic presentation of data. * Key terms are defined in boldface on first use, summarized at chapter end (with page numbers), and defined in a glossary at the back of the book. * Chapter objectives, summaries, and electronically-graded quizzes to help students review and study the material are offered on the web at logic.cqpress.com. Annotated suggested readings lists and endnotes assist students in their exploration of American politics beyond the pages of the book. Additionally, the Logic website provides CQ Weekly articles that illustrate the logic in contemporary American politics, as well as links to the best relevant sites on the Internet.Adopters will receive a free subscription to CQ's Politics Daily e-newsletter. Unlike general news sources that focus on national polls and punditry, CQ Politics Daily analyses the ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Well Organized, easy to understand
This book is a very easy-to-understand way of introducing oneself to the basis of our political system here in America.The layout and descriptions are captivating and keeps your interest throughout the book; which is quite a feat considering that some of these descriptions can be daunted with details and rather dry.It not only evinces the logic behind our American government but it also acknowledges the deviations and variations from our Constitution since its inception.I think this book should be required reading for all Americans.

Excellent condition
This book was in excellent condition!!!! This book was very helpful in my political science class !!!

Never got the book
Ordered this book for a summer class.Waited, and it never came.I contacted the seller for tracking info, but seller could not provide it.I got behind in class and finally just went out and bought the book at the campus bookstore.According to the seller, it got lost at the post office.Advice to the seller:Have more than one delivery option.I would have paid more to get overnight, 2-day, or 3-day shipping through UPS, or fedex.Seller did issue a full refund which I appreciate but the damage had been done.

speedy shipping
i needed this book for my politics class .. it shipped in just a couple days ... exactly when i needed it!

Good Transaction
I got my item way before the estimated date and the item was in perfect condition. Thanks! ... Read more

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This new edition of the best-selling Politics in the Middle East is an analysis of systems and processes in Middle Eastern politics that focuses on the themes of power, stratification, and development. Special emphasis is placed upon the forces of social change as they sweep across the region. This study also includes emphasis on such important issues as the role of civil society, the patterns of leadership, the resurgence of Islam, the role of women, the upheaval in the Persian Gulf, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and U.S. foreign policy.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Critical Guide to Understanding the Middle East
This is a well-written book explaining the history of the Middle East. It provides the historicbasis for understanding the current situation and tension in this region. James Bill is an excellent writer, and a well-known expert on the Middle East. A great book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Everything you always wanted to know about Hilton Head but ...
Detailed, revealing and apparently even handed history of the development of Hilton Head Island, the people who made it happen, and "innocent bystanders.". Lots of footnotes and references. Lots of context, "flavor and texture." A must read.

Well considered history of Hilton Head
A carefully considered review of Hilton Head, SC since its development as a world-leading resort. Danielson's extensively researched, scholarly book discusses several important factors in modern, orchestrated community development.

Danielson describes in detail the transition from plantation-driven Hilton Head to a multi-focused community that remains largely dependent on tourism. The competing interests of developers, residents, retirees, tourists, and businesses are well-explained, as are the challenges of rapid growth.

It is an excellent handbook for development in environmentally sensitive areas and for 'destination-oriented' developments. I only wish that Danielson had included more maps of both the individual plantations, and more detailed maps of Hilton Head.
Highly recommended. ... Read more

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This examination of the six states and two self-governing territorial, as well as national, governments reveals the variety and innovation which characterizes the government and politics of the Australian federation. Chapters by leading scholars in the field merge information and analysis for the specialist as well as the general reader. The work is an invaluable source for reference and teaching to anyone concerned with Australian politics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

compare the Australian and American systems of government
If you don't know much about the Australian political system, this book is as good a place to start as any. It describes the 3 levels of government, federal, state and local. Though the latter is only briefly covered. The federal-state relationship is like that in the United States, and historically was directly modelled as such. Just over a century ago, the Australians and British who put together the new nation copied a successful American arrangement. Inspired in part by the sheer size of Australia.

The Australian Senate is the direct analog of the US Senate. Virtually equivalent in powers to the House of Representatives. Unlike Canada, whose Senate has historically been a weak institution.

From the book, you can see an analysis of the Constitution. Like the US, Australia has an explicit Constitution. Which also has rules for how to amend it. But, a key difference from the US is the lack of a Bill of Rights. In this sense, a very British thing. In Australia, then, individual rights are governed by case law, that can in fact stretch back to cases in Britain itself.

Another difference from the US is that Australian states have less power than American states. Taxation is gathered at the federal level, and the federal government then disburses portions to the states each year. So the feds control the purse strings. Plus, there are no state militias. The Constitution was drawn up in the early 1900s, not too long after the American Civil War. So a parsing of the book might suggest, perhaps cynically, that the arrangement was meant to make separation and civil war much harder to achieve. ... Read more

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A variety of perspectives exist within the Christian community when it comes to political issues and political involvement. This comprehensive and readable book presents a political philosophy from the perspective that the Gospel pertains to all of life so Christians should be involved in political issues. In brief, this is an analysis of conservative and liberal plans to do good for the nation, evaluated in light of the Bible and common sense.In this ground-breaking book, recognized evangelical Bible professor Wayne Grudem rejects five mistaken views about Christian influence on politics: (1) 'compel religion,' (2) 'exclude religion,' (3) 'all government is demonic,' (4) 'do evangel-ism, not politics,' and (5) 'do politics, not evangelism.'He proposes a better alternative: (6) 'significant Christian influence on government.'Then he explains the Bible's teachings about the purpose of civil government and the characteristics of good or bad government. Does the Bible support some form of democracy? Should judges and the courts hold the ultimate power in a nation? With respect to specific political issues, Grudem argues that most people's political views depend on deep-seated assumptions about several basic moral and even theological questions, such as whether God exists, whether absolute moral standards can be known, whether there is good and evil in each person's heart, whether people should be accountable for their good and bad choices, whether property should belong to individuals or to society, and whether the purpose of the earth's resources is to bring benefit to mankind. After addressing these foundational questions, Grudem provides a thoughtful, carefully-reasoned analysis of over fifty specific issues dealing with the protection of life, marriage, the family and children, economic issues and taxation, the environment, national defense, relationships to other nations, freedom of speech and religion, quotas, and special interests. He makes frequent application to the current policies of the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, but the principles discussed here are relevant for any nation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A terrific and much-needed resource
This volume is invaluable for at least two main reasons. It offers a careful and well-argued overview of the biblical view of politics and government, and it also offers detailed analysis of key political issues. And in this massive volume (well over 600 pages) a lot of solid material is presented.

Grudem admits that he leans to the conservative side of politics, but argues that he does so on the basis of what the Bible teaches, rather than as a preconceived position he holds to. But as this volume makes clear, he is not above criticising fellow conservatives when the need arises.

He also admits to not writing as a lecturer in politics, but as a New Testament professor. From a Christian point of view this is not a problem. Indeed, it seems to strengthen his hand. The volume is throughout a careful assessment of a whole range of political and social issues, but always with a view to understanding how Scripture addresses such concerns.

His opening chapters on general political principles as seen in the light of the Bible offer a number of helpful insights. He of course addresses key passages such as Romans 13:1-7, and looks at other controlling NT principles. He begins by looking at five wrong (or unbiblical) positions on government and political involvement.

These include the idea that believers have nothing to do with politics; that governments should exclude religion; and that we should view government as evil and demonic. After dealing with these positions, he seeks to lay out the biblical case for Christian social and political activity.

He argues for a properly understood separation of church and state, avoiding the errors of both a theocratic take on government, and an anarchistic approach. Believers are to be involved in government, while recognising that ultimately governments cannot save anyone.

But the state is instituted by God, and has clear - but rather limited - ends. Thus Grudem argues for a restricted form of governments, recognising that neither radical libertarianism nor stifling statism is the preferred model. He argues for the importance of liberty, but notes that it is not an absolute in itself, and must be limited to some extent in a fallen world.

These first 150 pages would alone be worth the price of the book, but he gets into the real world of politics in the remainder of the volume as he looks at numerous particular issues. These include economics, the protection of life, national security, marriage and family, freedom of religion, and environmental issues.

Consider the contentious issue of same-sex marriage. Grudem argues that governments have - according to Scripture -a primary responsibility to restrain evil, bring good to society, and promote social order. When it comes to marriage, evil is restrained when sexual faithfulness between a man and a woman is legally recognised and enforced.

Marriage brings good to society in promoting social stability and the well-being of children. And social order is maintained by clearly delineating the married from the non-married. There is no right to homosexual marriage to be found in the US Constitution, and there is no violation of human rights in keeping marriage a heterosexual institution.

The law does not prohibit others from marrying, it simply states what marriage is - the union of one man and one woman. He cites various court cases in which the limiting of marriage to opposite-sex couples is not seen as engaging in sex discrimination.

Or consider the specific issue of foreign aid. What is the scriptural position on this rather complex issue? Grudem argues that good intentions need to be assessed in the light of actual outcomes. Surely any concept of Christian compassion for the poor should result in policies which actually help the poor.

He notes that over a trillion dollars in Western aid has gone to poor nations. Yet numerous studies have demonstrated that such aid has in fact often been harmful rather than helpful. Not only does it tend to result in creating a culture of dependency, but most of the money will usually go to corrupt government officials rather than those who actually need it.

Leftist Christians will argue for debt forgiveness for these countries. But a careful look at such measures shows that they tend to be counter-productive. They often result in the perpetuation of corrupt and inefficient regimes. And they encourage future reckless borrowing, since the leaders know they may well get off the hook in the future.

And as is so often the case, the poor really benefit very little from such schemes. That is because the root causes which made for such poverty in the first place are not addressed. "Forgiving debt or giving aid may meet some short-term need, but it does not change the government corruption, oppression, and destructive economic policies".

Plenty of other specific political and social issues are carefully and incisively discussed. Grudem then finishes by offering some concluding observations, including the role of the believer in the governmental process. He reminds us that while God rules over the nations, he uses his people to accomplish his ends.

He reminds us that we have a role to play to be salt and light in our communities, and that includes political and social involvement at all levels. He offers the example of Wilberforce and others as those who have made a significant difference in this world as they applied biblical truths to contemporary problems.

He closes by noting that whenever God has revived his church in the past, it resulted in not just personal renewal, but in social transformation as well. When God breaks forth in new and fresh ways, biblical principles are applied to all levels of life, from the personal to the social.

All in all this is a very important volume which not just outlines broad biblical concerns, but fleshes them out in numerous practical cases, showing how the biblical view of politics is not only relevant to modern social life, but offers plenty of constructive and workable solutions to modern problems.

Applying Timeless Truths in Politics
This is a very good compendium on applying the truths of Scripture through civic responsibility.I met the author, Dr. Wayne Grudem in Anchorage, Alaska, in October 2010 and he confirmed in person what he says in the book.On some issues people of good will can differ on what God means in Scripture--but on other issues God is very clear. Living our lives and applying our politics according to God's clear direction will result in far greater fulfillment.This is a good read, and is worth keeping on a reference shelf. It was interesting that when I met Dr. Grudem his book had sold out several times at the usual book outlets--and amazon.com was one of the best places to pick it up.I had already done that.

Loren Leman
former Lieutenant Governor, Alaska

must read
so far only through the first 2 chapters, I skipped around the book a little as well and thought W.G has made great points which citizens/government seem to forget. Please buy and read this book

Opinion at times more than biblical principle
I have to agree with the previous critique by Mike. At times Gruden starts with personal preferences then seeks to reinforce those preferences with biblical backing. It would have been more effective had he stated the biblical and constitutional principles first and then developed his public policy positions from that initial perspective. Considering all the vast knowledge that he has access to with regard to Reformed theology and its history of church state relations, I was hoping for a work that was more biblically presuppositional. In light of the current Calvinistic reawakening among our young people on the universities, I believe they will be looking for public policy solutions based on biblical principle.

Also, Gary North and Gary Demar have been detailing specific areas where Gruden has missed the mark in relation to economics and the limited role that government should play in its development. This is a very important issue at a time when our Marxist president is trying to increase the power of the federal government within our lives. Their critiques can be found at AmericanVision.org

However, this is a good start and I hope it helps to spark a badly needed dialogue among Christians concerning the proper role of government at this critical time in our nation's history. For those interested in further reading on this topic I highly recommend reading the God and Government series by Gary Demar. David Hall has also written "Calvin in the Public Square." R. J. Rushdoony has also written "Law and Liberty." Greg Bahnsen has also written "By This Standard." Calvinist thought is making a comeback and these are good source to discuss a biblical approach toward developing public policy in light of our Constitutional form of government.

Further recommendations:
Calvin in the Public Square: Liberal Democracies, Rights and Civil Liberties (Calvin 500)The Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World (Calvin 500)Ruler of the NationsLaw & LibertyLaw and Revolution II: The Impact of the Protestant Reformations on the Western Legal TraditionLaw and Revolution, The Formation of the Western Legal TraditionLaw and Revolution, II: The Impact of the Protestant Reformations on the Western Legal Tradition (v. 2)Faith and Order : The Reconciliation of Law and Religion (Emory University Studies in Law and Religion)By This Standard: The Authority of God's Law Today

Excellent reference, though a little too predictable
I love Wayne Grudem's other writings, his love for the Bible, and his love for careful, logical biblical reflection.This volume has been long-awaited and will fill a gap in any thoughtful Christian's library.Grudemdoes a good job establishing a foundation for his thinking in the first part of the book and then showing how it plays out on virtually all of the "hot button" issues in American politics in the rest of the book.If you want to know the standard conservative evangelical opinion on any issue and see the best-of-breed argument for why this opinion is so, then this is a great reference -- for both "conservative" and "liberal" Christians.

I give this work 4 stars and not 5 because I found it to be, quite frankly, too predictable.Looking at the section for virtually any major issue -- immigration, taxes, global warming, national defense, gay marriage, the supreme court -- it would be hard to distinguish Grudem's positions from any Fox News commentator.I had hoped that on at least one issue he could break with the conservative republican party line.In the end this partisanism leaves me to worry that Grudem started with a set of political opinions and sought to find biblical backing for these opinions instead of starting with the Bible and building out from that foundation (though that is something we are all at times guilty of!).Perhaps this is too harsh for me to say, so let me conclude by saying that this is a great reference and has a worthy place in any Christian's library. ... Read more

Product Description
This student-friendly introduction to the key theories and concepts of comparative politics now provides even broader coverage of the world's democracies, with examples drawn from across the globe. Foundations of Comparative Politics contains a wealth of information, clearly structured and easy to read, with clear definition of Key Terms. It covers all the important themes in the field, including constitutional design and institutions; mass and elite politics; policy-making and implementation; and the future of the state and democracy in a globalising world. A new chapter on studying comparative politics, and new What Have We Learned? and Lessons of Comparison summary sections help students pull together the lessons of each chapter. Combining facts and theory throughout, debate is stimulated through the use of Controversy boxes, and Fact Files and Briefings give students interesting data that illustrates the key issues in the text. Online resources, including MCQs and Powerpoint slides, complete the package. ... Read more