Reading- Thinking about Politics

1. Introduction: What is Politics?

1.1 W. Phillips Shively, Power and Choice: An Introduction to Political Science. Chapter 1 and Appendix.

• What is politics?
• What is political action?
• Compare the different conceptions of politics found in Shively
• Is politics associated exclusively with the state or is it found in all social units?
• What does it mean to talk about the politics of family relationships?
• How does our understanding of the political affect what we study and how we study it?

2. Politics as Conflict

2.1. Robert J. Spitzer, The Politics of Gun Control.

• A prominent feature of contemporary politics is conflict between groups with different ideologies and life styles.
• Perhaps no issue in American politics typifies this better than the issue of gun control (with the possible exceptions of abortion and gay rights).
• Spitzer provides both an overview and analysis of this issue and explains why and how it has become so divisive in American politics.
• Try to understand why proponents on each side understand the conflict so differently and are willing to commit such great resources to their cause.
• To what extent do opponents of gun control feel their identity is wrapped up on the issue?
• How and why is identity central to understanding the intensity of the dispute?
• Can you imagine a constructive solution to this divisive conflict?

3. Politics as Community Decision-Making

3.1. Jane Mansbridge, Beyond Adversary Democracy, Chapters 1-11, pp. 1-138.

• While political activity in all societies shares some common elements, politics occurs in and is studied in specific settings.
• Mansbridge examines two in detail—a New England town and a participatory workplace-- to understand what she calls unitary and adversarial democracy.
• The first eleven chapters present an initial statement about the two forms of democracy—make sure you understand what she means by each and how they help you understand the New England town and other small communities.
• Later, I'll complete the book.