Republic at Risk
An Introduction to American Politics

A brief, analytical introduction to American politics, organized around the themes of representation and self-interest.

Walter J. Stone (Author), James A. McCann (Author)

9781108738040, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 3 June 2021

280 pages
25.3 x 17.7 x 1.3 cm, 0.59 kg

'Republic at Risk is the perfect text for an introductory course in American government. Short and readable, the book presents the arguments about our democracy's future that are particularly relevant in the current context, in a way that will engage students throughout a semester.' L. Sandy Maisel, Colby College

When people have the freedom to further their own personal interests in politics, the results may be disastrous. Chaos? Tyranny? Can a political system be set up to avoid these pitfalls, while still granting citizens and politicians the freedom to pursue their interests? Republic at Risk is a concise and engaging introduction to American politics. The guiding theme is the problem of self-interest in politics, which James Madison took as his starting point in his defense of representative government in Federalist 10 and 51. Madison believed that unchecked self-interest in politics was a risk to a well-ordered and free society. But he also held that political institutions could be designed to harness self-interest for the greater good. Putting Madison's theory to the test, the authors examine modern challenges to the integrity and effectiveness of US policy-making institutions, inviting readers to determine how best to respond to these risks.

Preface to the second edition
Introduction
1. Some enduring questions and relevant concepts
2. Big answers, bigger questions: Madison's theory of the republic
3. Citizen participation in politics: an interest in self-interest?
4. Who's in charge here? Voting choice in elections
5. Interest groups and pluralist theory: self-interest in the republic reconsidered
6. Political parties: an alternative to the republic?
7. A pivotal politics model of the policy process: the separation of powers re-imagined
8. Congress: representation and power
9. Presidential leadership: beyond self-interest?
10. The Supreme Court: another way out of the problem of self-interest?
11. Conclusion: self-interest and representative government
Appendix Federalist 10 and 51 by James Madison
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Central government policies [JPQB], Political structure & processes [JPH], Politics & government [JP]