* the global recession that began in 2008.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: RULES OF THE GAME Games Politicians Play Politics and Choice Political Science: Components, Tasks, and Controversies The Physical, Social, and Cultural Environment of Politics PART TWO: POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND IDEOLOGY The Quest for the Good Political Life Liberal Democracy Democratic Socialism and Communism: Ideologies of the Left Toward a General Understanding of Dictatorship and Authoritarian States PART THREE: COMPARATIVE AND WORLD POLITICS The Political Values of Political Actors National Politics: Culture, Constitutions, Citizens National Politics: Governmental Actors International Politics and the Global Community Decision Making in Politics PART FOUR: POLITICAL JUDGMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY War and Peace in the Modern Age The Battle on Behalf of Human Rights The Struggle for Economic Well- Being The Imperative of Ecological Health