Popular Government in the United States: Foundations and Principles

ISBN-13: 9780202363479 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 344 str.

Charles Hyneman; Charles Gilbert

Opis

Political theory consists in clarification of language and concepts, in description and analysis of institutions and behavior, and in appraisal and evaluation of political events. Hyneman's theory is not one of the behavioral or functional varieties that rely on special language and concepts drawn from other disciplines than political science. It emphasizes a central concern of both conventional and behavioral theory: the distribution of "power," or what proportion of people have influence over what aspects of government. He is also interested in how power is shared, divided, checked, and balanced.The main task of political theory, Hyneman thinks, is clarification of the values served by and sustaining American democracy. This task gives meaning and direction to analysis of the elements of democracy and to empirical research on the processes of democracy. In this sense political science is not "value-free"; it is most useful in pursuit of the implications of basic beliefs and ideals. These beliefs and ideals can be found in historical statements as well as inferred from institutions and behavior.Hyneman's emphasis on popular control, electoral politics, and equality of influence tends to challenge both of the "pluralist" and "ruling elite" schools-though it should be clear that he is not engaged in a scholastic debate. The freedom of his analysis, ranging from specific reference to the professional controversies of his day is one of its strengths and a probable source of originality. He connects it explicitly to the literature of political science at critical points, as it existed when originally published in 1968.

Spis treści

PREFACE
INTRODUCTION by CHARLES E. GILBERT
I. Democratic Ideals
1. DEMOCRACY: GOALS AND METHODS
2. THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
II. Popular Government
3. TWO SYSTEMS OF DEMAND AND RESPONSE
4. THE CITIZEN'S ROLE
5. THE RIGHT TO VOTE
6. THE CITIZEN'SEDUCATION
7. POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND ELECTORAL BEHAVIOR
III. The Structure of Authority
8. THE ELECTIVE PRINCIPLE
9. THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE
10. CONTROL OF ADMINISTRATION
IV. Limited Government
11. GOVERNMENT BY LAW
12. CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES
13. FREE SPEECH AND SUBVERSION:AN HISTORICAL EPISODE
14. FREE SPEECH AND SUBVERSION:A CONTEMPORARY SOLUTION
V. Democracy on Trial
15. THE NEGROES' CHALLENGE
16.ORGANIZED PROTEST AND RESISTANCE
17. CONCLUSION: ON THE PRESERVATION OF DEMOCRATIC FOUNDATIONS
OTHER WRITINGS OF CHARLES S. HYNEMAN
FOR FURTHER READING
INDEX 317

O autorze

Charles Hyneman