Political Science - Valparaiso

Government Gridlock by Margaret Haerens (Editor) This collection of essays discusses the severity of government gridlock and what some of its causes are. This book asks how government gridlock should be addressed and how filibuster reform will impact this issue. Essays are arranged in a for-or-against format, so that readers benefit from more than one intelligent viewpoint.

Campaigns and Elections: what everyone needs to know by Dennis W. Johnson This book offers the most up-to-date examination of campaigns and elections, including the challenges and opportunities they present. It addresses fundamental questions about who votes in American elections, how legislative districts are reapportioned and why it matters, the realities of voter fraud, the pros and cons of reforming the Electoral College, the impact of dark money on campaigns, and the role of political consultants and specialists, among other topics.

Are There Two Americas? by Caleb Bissinger (Editor) This insightful anthology unpacks the concept of a divided nation and looks at the conflicts that come from economic disparity, geography, social status, and more.

Diplomacy: a very short introduction by Joseph M. Siracusa Written by Joseph M. Siracusa, an internationally recognised expert, this lively volume introduces the subject of diplomacy from a historical perspective, providing examples from significant historical phases and episodes to illustrate the art of diplomacy in action, highlighting the milestones in its evolution.

Parliaments by Mary K. Pratt This title examines parliaments in world history. Different types of parliaments, such as the democratic Westminster model, are highlighted, as are different types of parliamentary structures, such as bi- and unicameral. The governments by which parliaments function, such as monarchies, democracies, and dictatorships, as well as different economic systems are examined, as are how parliaments and prime ministers are elected and cabinets are chosen and describes the function of each.

The U. S. Congress : a very short introduction by Donald A. Ritchie The U.S. Congress takes readers on a fascinating, behind-the-scenes tour of Capitol Hil l- pointing out the key players, explaining their behavior, and translating parliamentary language into plain English. This book provides an insider's perspective on Congress, matched with a professional historian's analytical insight.

The United Nations : a very short introduction by Jussi M. Hanhimaki This book engages the current debate over the United nations effectiveness and provides a clear understanding of how it was originally conceived, how it has come to its present form, and how it must confront new challenges in a rapidly changing world.After a brief history of the United Nations and its predecessor, the League of Nations, the author examines the UN's successes and failures as a guardian of international peace and security, as a promoter of human rights, as a protector of international law, and as an engineer of socio-economic development.

Impeachment : what everyone needs to know by Michael J. Gerhardt The book defines the scope of impeachable offenses, and how the Constitution provides alternative procedures and sanctions for addressing misconduct in office. It explains why the only two presidential impeachments, those of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, failed to lead to conviction, and how the impeachments of federal judges illuminate the law and politics of the process.As a legal expert and the only joint witness in the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton, author Michael J. Gerhardt also explores a question frequently asked - will Donald Trump be impeached? This book does not take a side in the debate over the possible impeachment of the president;instead, it is a primer for anyone eager to learn about impeachment's origins, practices, limitations, and alternatives.

How to Read the Constitution--And Why by Kim Wehle An insightful, urgent, and perennially relevant handbook that lays out in common sense language how the United States Constitution works, and how its protections are eroding before our eyes--essential reading for anyone who wants to understand and parse the constantly breaking news about the backbone of American government.