Debating Reform: Conflicting Perspectives on How to Fix the American Political System, Third Edition edited by Richard J. Ellis and Michael Nelson, gets readers to consider the key issues in reforming political institutions. Written specifically for this volume, each pro or con essay is contributed by a top scholar and examines a concrete proposal for reforming the political system. By focusing on institutions, rather than liberal or conservative public policies, the essays move readers to leave behind ideology and grapple with evidence, and then draw their own conclusions and build their own arguments.

The growing disconnect between China's market-oriented economy with its emerging civil society, and the brittle, anacronistic, and authoritarian state has given rise to intense discussion and debate about political reform, not only by Western observers, but also among Chinese intellectuals. While some expect China's political reform to lead to democratization, others have proposed to strengthen the institution of single-party rule and provide it with a solid legal base. This book brings the ongoing debate to life and explores the options for political reform. Offering the perspectives of both Western and Chinese scholars, it presents the controversial argument for building a consultive rule of law regime as an alternative to liberal democracy. It provides several critiques of this thesis, and then tests the thesis through empirical studies on the development of the rule of law in China.

First Published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Presents twenty-one essays exploring contemporary immigration and its impact on politics in the US and Europe.

Is more government aid needed? Who will pay for care of aging baby boomers? Will all Americans finally get health insurance? These are just some of the topics covered in Issues for Debate in Social Policy. Engaging and reader-friendly articles encourage students to think critically about some of the most pressing social policy issues of our time. Classroom discussions will sparkle as a result! About CQ Researcher Readers In the tradition of nonpartisanship and current analysis that is the hallmark of CQ Press, readers investigate important and controversial policy issues. Offer your students the balanced reporting, complete overviews, and engaging writing that has consistently provided for more than 80 years. Each article gives substantial background andanalysis of a particular issue as well as useful pedagogical features to inspire critical thinking andto help students grasp and review key material: A Pro/Con box that examines two competing sides of a single question A detailed chronology of key dates and events An annotated bibliography and Web resources Outlook sections that address possible regulation and initiatives from Capitol Hill and the White House over the next 5 to 10 years Photos, charts, graphs, and maps

Though the scientific community largely agrees that climate change is underway, debates about this issue remain fiercely polarized. These conversations have become a rhetorical contest, one where opposing sides try to achieve victory through playing on fear, distrust, and intolerance. At its heart, this split no longer concerns carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, or climate modeling; rather, it is the product of contrasting, deeply entrenched worldviews. This brief examines what causes people to reject or accept the scientific consensus on climate change. Synthesizing evidence from sociology, psychology, and political science, Andrew J. Hoffman lays bare the opposing cultural lenses through which science is interpreted. He then extracts lessons from major cultural shifts in the past to engender a better understanding of the problem and motivate the public to take action. How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate makes a powerful case for a more scientifically literate public, a more socially engaged scientific community, and a more thoughtful mode of public discourse.

Education is a key political issue and seen as a crucial factor in ensuring economic productivity and competitiveness. In this enthralling book, Stephen J. Ball offers an analysis of the flood of government initiatives and policies that have been introduced over the past 20 years, including Beacon Schools, the Academies programme, parental choice, Foundation Schools, faith schools and teaching standards. He looks at the politics of these policy interventions and how they have changed the face of education.This bestselling book makes essential reading for student-teachers, other students of politics and social policy courses and for the general reader who wants to get beyond the simplistic analyses of the newspapers.