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Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Science, 4th Edition

Kevin L. Dooley, Joseph Patten

  • Copyright 2025
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2024-09-20T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $74.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Science 4th Edition by Kevin L. Dooley/Joseph Patten
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Overview

With its foundational approach to learning, Dooley/Patten's WHY POLITICS MATTERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE, 4th EDITION, shows students the "big picture" as it explores political theory, comparative politics, the U.S. government and international relations. The authors combine theory and practice and use current, global examples to illustrate why politics is important to readers -- and explain how they can get involved. In-depth analyses of the current state of global affairs include the rise of populism, nationalism, political misinformation, the January 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, the Russian-Ukraine war, U.S. relations with China, voting rights, the role of women in politics, abortion rights post-Dobbs, student debt and the Biden v. Nebraska (2023) decision, the impact of climate change on international relations and more.

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Meet the Authors

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Kevin L. Dooley

Kevin L. Dooley, Ph.D., is an associate professor of political science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Since joining the faculty in 2003, he has taught comparative politics, ethics in international relations, American foreign policy, and early and modern political theory courses. He received his doctorate from Rutgers University in 2004. Dr. Dooley's primary research interests include the role that the social contract played in the evolution of democracy, globalization, nationalism and the erosion of democratic norms in Central and East Europe. In addition to numerous articles, he is the author of POLITICS STILL MATTERS: GLOBALIZATION, GOVERNANCE, AND THE REVIVAL OF REGIONAL MINORITIES (2008); ALLEGORIES AND METAPHORS IN EARLY POLITICAL THOUGHT: FROM PLATO TO MACHIAVELLI (2018); and STATES OF NATURE AND SOCIAL CONTRACTS (2021). Dr. Dooley and his wife, Lauren, live in Brick, New Jersey, with their two children, Jack and Megan.

Joseph Patten

Joseph N. Patten, Ph.D., is a professor of political science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Since joining the Monmouth faculty in 2002, he has taught courses in American politics and public policy. He currently serves as the faculty advisor to Monmouth University’s policy debate team and as the university liaison to the Washington Center Internship program. He received Monmouth's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2009. Prior to joining the faculty in 2002, he served as an associate professor of political science at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa from 1996-2002. He received his doctorate in political science from West Virginia University in 1996. He is the co-author of the book entitled BAIT AND SWITCH: HOW STUDENT LOAN DEBT STIFLES SOCIAL MOBILITY (Springs Publishers, 2023). He also co-authored a number of articles and book chapters on the American Congress, super PACs and policy debate. He and his wife, Veena, live in Howell, New Jersey, with their two children, Nikhil and Jaya.

What's New

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  • WHY POLITICS MATTERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE, 4th EDITION, examines critical world events like the outcomes of the Dobbs decision and its impact on American politics, the student debt crisis in the United States, and the erosion of democratic, liberal norms in certain democracies. The authors evaluate the war in Ukraine using the three levels of analysis.

Features

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  • "Why Politics Matters to You!" features show students how politics and government impact their lives as well as how they can get involved.
  • Engaging, accessible and extremely student-friendly, WHY POLITICS MATTERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE, 4th EDITION, is written with a lively, conversational style complemented by a bold, full-color design packed with photographs, maps and other illustrations.
  • "Questions to Consider before Reading this Chapter" open every chapter, serving as learning objectives that help students focus on key concepts. In addition, critical thinking questions appear at the end of every boxed feature and within the narrative to spark lively class discussions, engage readers and encourage learners to explore chapter concepts further.
  • Organized to touch on each of the discipline's sub-fields, the text equips students with a strong foundation through insightful discussions defining politics and political science (Part 1) as well as ideology and participation (Part 2). Students build on these lessons by comparing systems in Part 3 (Comparative Politics) and learning how these world systems interact in Part 4 (International Relations).
  • This edition incorporates the American system within the context of comparative politics.
  • Visual timelines organize important historical events, political works and the lives of political thinkers in each chapter -- illustrating how text topics are connected.
  • Helping students put what they learn into real-world context, "Theory and Practice" features demonstrate how political thought directly influences modern-day situations, institutions and policies.

Table of Contents

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1. Why Politics Matters.
Part I: POLITICAL THEORY.
2. Ancient Political Theory.
3. Modern Political Theory.
Part II: COMPARING SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT.
4. The American Government.
5. Nationalism and Populism in the United States and Abroad.
Part III. COMPARATIVE POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS.
6. Comparing Democratic Legislatures.
7. Comparing Democratic Chief Executives.
8. Comparing Democratic Judiciaries.
9. Authoritarian States.
Part IV: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
10. Understanding International Relations: Terms and Theories.
11. War, Diplomacy, and the Beginning of International Relations.
12. Competing Visions for the Future of International Relations.
Conclusion.

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  • ISBN-10: 0357987462
  • ISBN-13: 9780357987469
  • RETAIL $74.95

  • ISBN-10: 0357987381
  • ISBN-13: 9780357987384
  • RETAIL $245.95
Instructor Next Steps
Students: Buy now