The breadth of material covered in introductory U.S. government and politics survey courses creates a situation in which the textbooks used may serve as the primary source of information students receive about the country's political system. At the same time, their content represents a conscious choice by the authors, editors, and publishers of…

A review of recent research which analyzes voting trends is provided. (DE)

The modern South is a thriving region that is increasingly like the rest of the United States; however, that has not always been the case. Indeed, the political history of the American South is one that has been focused on the integration of this historically underdeveloped region into the remainder of American society, economically (especially in…

The "great national discussion" of 1787 involved deliberations, writings, debates, and speeches concerning the newly created U.S. Constitution. Both the framers and the critics of the Constitution utilized philosophies of: (1) republicanism; (2) Lockean liberalism; (3) work-ethic Protestantism; and (4) state-centered theories of power…

Reexamines Woodrow Wilson's contribution to public administration and arrives at four conclusions: (1) the study of public administration was developed in Europe; (2) Wilson's politics/administration dichotomy was different than the European model; (3) his dichotomy was based on an incorrect translation and abandoned; and (4) his dichotomy was…

This collection of essays is intended for both the general reader and the specialist and is designed to provide the basic elements needed for an introductory survey and a reference aid to the role of New York State in the adoption of the federal Constitution. The collection is organized into five sections: theory, history, materials, people and…

"The Federalist" should be understood as a document with three purposes. It is: a campaign document designed to win popular support for the proposed Constitution; a serious work of political thought, analyzing the nature of free societies; and the authoritative commentary on the Constitution. This guide is intended to help readers of…

Evaluates U.S. intervention in neighboring countries, classifying actions according to an eightfold taxonomy: acquisition of continental territory, acquisition of overseas territory, establishment of protectorates, acquisition of transit rights to the Pacific, establishment of custom receiverships, protection of U.S. citizens and property,…

Courses on the Constitution must focus on the principles of government. Those principles and how the understanding of those principles shaped the document are appropriate subjects for consideration. The best sources for an examination of the Constitution are "The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787" and "The Federalist."…

Provides a simulation of the United States Constitutional Convention. The simulation involves students in re-creating the conflicts between the colonies, seeking compromise, and comparing the outcome of the simulation with the actual Constitution. (JDH)

The many historical writings on political machines and bossism are reviewed in this article. (DE)

If students are to understand the American Constitution, they must, like the Founders, take political philosophy seriously. Books and essays that college teachers can use to teach about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are discussed. (RM)

Explains the relationship between politics, economics, and religion through the philosophies of Smith, Hobbes, and Locke. Maintains that the unamended Constitution is a reconciliation of politics, religion, and economics. Defends this claim by examining property rights and the Constitution's regard to means in pursuance of freedom and justice.…

Presents a lesson on the reaction of people in the United States to immigrants as expressed in political cartoons from the turn-of-the-century and the early decades of the 20th century. Includes cartoons, teaching ideas, and suggested discussion questions about the cartoons. (DSK)

A course on the Constitution should help students see that the Constitution is not a document that provides solutions to problems, but a document that helps individuals come to a fuller understanding of contemporary problems by exposing them to the intellectual foundations and historical dimensions of the issues. (RM)