Political Science Today

Wendy N. Whitman Cobb is a professor at the US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS) in Montgomery, Alabama. She earned her PhD in political science from the University of Florida following undergraduate work at the University of Central Florida. Her work focuses on institutions and public policy, particularly as it concerns space exploration policy. Before joining the faculty at SAASS, she was associate professor of political science at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. Previous books include Unbroken Government: Success and the Illusion of Failure in Policymaking, The Politics of Cancer: Malignant Indifference, and Privatizing Peace: How Commerce Can Reduce Conflict in Space.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorPart I: FoundationsChapter 1: What Is Political Science?Differences between Politics and Political ScienceHistoryIs Political Science a Science?Major Concepts of Political ScienceChapter 2: Research MethodsQuestions and AnswersQuantitative MethodsQualitative MethodsQuantitative and Qualitative Methods in Political ScienceChapter 3: Political TheoryThe Ancients to the EnlightenmentThe EnlightenmentChallenges to LiberalismContemporary PhilosophyThe State of Political Theory TodayPart II: Institutions and BehaviorChapter 4: Constitutions, Law, and JusticeCharacteristics of ConstitutionsSystems of LawThe Court SystemChapter 5: Electoral and Party SystemsParliamentary SystemsPresidential SystemsPurpose of Political PartiesDuverger’s LawChapter 6: Political CommunicationsRoles of the MediaShaping and Making the NewsMedia around the WorldThe Internet, Social Media, and DemocracyChapter 7: Social Movements and Political ChangeSocial MovementsThe Collective Action ProblemThe Impact of Social MovementsModern Social MovementsPart III: SubfieldsChapter 8: American PoliticsCongressThe PresidencyThe CourtsPolitical BehaviorChapter 9: Comparative PoliticsThe Comparative MethodThe StateDemocracyGlobalizationCommunism and PostcommunismAuthoritarianismDevelopment and Developing CountriesNationalism and Ethnic ConflictChapter 10: International RelationsOrigins of International Relations TheoryRealismLiberalismConstructivismFeminismWar and PeaceChapter 11: Political EconomyWhat Does Politics Have to Do with the Economy?Types of Economic SystemsGovernment Involvement and Economic PerformanceInternational Political EconomyComparative Political EconomyChapter 12: Public Policy and Public AdministrationStages of the Policymaking ProcessPatterns of Policy ChangePolicy Actors and Types of PoliciesPublic AdministrationGlossaryNotesIndex