For undergraduate courses at colleges and universities in California for American and California Government Courses. Approaching Democracy is the American Government book with a clear and compelling central theme, designed to elevate student interest. Now in a California Edition! More than most states, California embodies the essence of American democratic and federal systems. The unique relationship between the federal government and California demonstrates how pervasive the idea of democracy has been as a founding principle of American politics. Approaching Democracy now includes 7 chapters on California politics and government. Approaching Democracy addresses the evolving nature of the American experiment in democratic government. It teaches students the theory and the basics of American political science, the political history of this nation, and provides the critical thinking skills needed to analyze these evolving relationships. This new Teaching and Learning Classroom (TLC) California edition introduces features that incorporates more "student empowerment" tools to reinforce how American Government is relevant to students' lives today. Larry Berman and Bruce Allen Murphy, long-time teachers of the introductory American Political science course in both large and small public and private universities, set out to write a book that offers a clear theme one that is even more relevant now than it was when it was first presented in a highly readable, easy-to-understand format. Both authors enjoy teaching and are actively engaged in new methods of engaging students and empowering them to participate in political discourse

This comprehensive study aid provides a chapter outline, study notes, a glossary, and practice exams designed to reinforce information in the text and help students develop a greater understanding of American government and politics.

From unsubstantiated 2020 election fraud claims and the storming of the US Capitol to the rampage of COVID-19 and racial injustice, this book covers the foundations, institutions, and processes of "the great American experiment" with a clear and resonant theme: Democracy cannot be taken for granted, whether at home or internationally, and eternal vigilance (along with civic intelligence) is required to protect it. Approaching Democracy provides students with a framework to analyze the structure, process, and action of US government, institutions, and social movements. It also invites comparison with other countries. This globalizing perspective gives students an understanding of issues of governance and challenges to democracy here and elsewhere. At a moment of growing domestic terrorism, political hyper-partisanship, populism, identity politics, and governmental dysfunction, there is no better time to bring Approaching Democracy--a textbook based on Vaclav Havel’s powerful metaphor of democracy as an ideal and the American experiment as the closest approach to it--to a new generation of political science undergraduate students. NEW TO THE NINTH EDITION Two new authors, Nadia E. Brown and Sarah Allen Gershon, who bring refreshing intellectual and diverse perspectives to the text. Includes the tumultuous political context surrounding the Trump presidency, the 2020 elections, the 116th Congress, the Supreme Court, the COVID-19 crisis, and the fight for social and racial justice. Figures and tables reflect the latest available data and surveys. Two new features--Diversity and Democracy, highlighting the experiences of America’s diverse social groups and the role of identity politics—and Discussion Questions at the end of each chapter, assessing critical thinking skills. Critical contemporary events are explored throughout the book, including the attempted coup following the 2020 elections, the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter, protests in American cities that come to the epicenter of America’s approach to democracy, the changes in the Supreme Court and the federal court system, the growth of LGBTQ+ legal rights, and the alteration in American Federalism. New and updated data on public attitudes toward police brutality, DACA, voter suppression, healthcare, and the global climate movement are also covered.

The Teaching and Learning Classroom Edition of Approaching Democracy offers an exciting new approach for learning American government. Its highly visual presentation, focused pedagogical support, and inquiry-based approach will engage and inspire students' appreciation of the American political landscape. And, with an extensive teaching and learning package, instructors and students will be able to maximize class preparation and teaching time.

This Books � la Carte Edition is an unbound, three-hole punched, loose-leaf version of the textbook and provides students the opportunity to personalize their book by incorporating their own notes and taking only the portion of the book they need to class - all at a fraction of the bound book price. Updated in its 8th edition, Approaching Democracy addresses the evolving nature of the American experiment in democratic government. It teaches readers the theory and basics of American political science and the nation's political history. It provides the critical thinking skills needed to analyze these evolving relationships. Larry Berman and Bruce Allen Murphy are long-time teachers of the Introductory American Political Science course in both large and small public and private universities. Their goal was to write a book that offers a clear and relevant theme in an easily readable format.

Democracy cannot be taken for granted, whether at home or internationally, and eternal vigilance (along with civic intelligence) is required to protect it. Approaching Democracy provides students with a framework to analyze the structure, process, and action of US government, institutions, and social movements. It also invites comparison with other countries. This globalizing perspective gives students an understanding of issues of governance and challenges to democracy here and elsewhere. At a moment of political hyper-partisanship, economic tensions, media misinformation, hyper-partisanship, and anxieties about the future of civil rights, this is the ideal time to introduce Approaching Democracy--a textbook based on Vaclav Havel’s powerful metaphor of democracy as an ideal and the American experiment as the closest approach to it--to a new generation of political science undergraduate students. NEW TO THE TENTH EDITION Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 midterm elections and explore the implications of Congressional redistricting, voting suppression, and voting rights legislation Covers the first two years of the Biden administration and provides a thorough retrospective on the Trump presidency—including updates on the January 6 Commission findings and the Justice department’s investigation into Trump’s alleged misappropriation of classified government documents Presents the developments on the Supreme Court including the appointment of its two newest justices and major recent decisions including controversial rulings on reproductive health, the separation of church and state, and the environment Explores the revival of NATO and other international alliances in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine New and updated material has also been provided regarding gun control, healthcare, labor rights, immigration, economic policy, COVID-19’s lingering impacts, and the ongoing struggle for social and racial justice in America

Approaching Democracy addresses the evolving nature of the American experiment in democratic government. It teaches students the theory and basics of American political science and the nation's political history. It provides the critical thinking skills needed to analyze these evolving relationships. Addressing a joint session of the U.S. Congress on February 1, 1990 Vaclav Havel, a former dissident Czech playwright once imprisoned by his country’s Communist government and later elected president, said “As long as people are people, democracy, in the full sense of the word, will always be no more than an ideal. In this sense, you too are merely approaching democracy. But you have one great advantage: you have been approaching democracy uninterruptedly for more than two hundred years, and your journey toward the horizon has never been disrupted by a totalitarian system.” Larry Berman and Bruce Allen Murphy are long-time teachers of the Introductory American Political Science course in both large and small public and private universities. Their goal was to write a book that offers a clear and relevant theme in an easily readable format. Both authors enjoy teaching students new methods to empower them to participate in political discourse. Teaching & Learning Experience Personalize Learning –MySearchLab with eText provides book-specific assessment, a full eText, and research and writing tools to help students improve their results. Explore Concepts and Current Events – The eighth edition includes coverage of the changes in the administration of Barack Obama since the 2010 congressional elections, the latest data, coverage of the effect of the Great Recession on American democracy and government, and much more. Improve Critical Thinking — A tiered system of short summaries and marginal questions appears throughout each chapter to help students master, apply, and analyze the material. Engage Students – An updated, cleaner design makes the book more accessible and user-friendly. “Test Yourself” quizzes at the end of each chapter provide students with opportunities to check their learning as they go. Emphasize Learning Outcomes — Each chapter is organized around learning objectives — posed as questions — to give students a precise understanding of the concepts they are meant to understand. Instructor Support — An Instructor’s Resource Manual, MyTest Test Bank, PowerPoint slides, and Digital Transparency Masters are just some of the resources available for instructors. Learning Goals Outline the foundations and evolution of the American democratic system. Analyze current political events in the context of the American history.