Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science (with InfoTrac) [Paperback]

Ellen Grigsby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0534586716 | ISBN-13: 978-0534586713 | Edition: 2

This text covers the basics of political science. Linking fundamental concepts with contemporary political events and controversies, Grigsby discusses all major topics and illustrates the ways in which these topics impact their lives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

After teaching in the University of New Mexico's Political Science Department for twelve years, Ellen Grigsby moved to the College of Arts and Sciences in July 2003 as Advisement Director of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 2 edition (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534586716
• ISBN-13: 978-0534586713
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,118,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to Political Science, March 12, 2008

By 

Future U.S. President (The Garden State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science (with InfoTrac) (Paperback)

This book was used in my Introduction to Political Science course. The book is incredibly easy to read and explains the essential basics of political science quite well. The historical examples and analysis within the text provide superb contextual support for the theories explained by Grigsby. While the book is riddled with leftist overtones, it manages to not misconstrue right-wing viewpoints and values. The beliefs of the author, however, are clearly defined. Additionally, the section regarding International Relations is a bit barebones.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Correcting "A Student", July 25, 2006

By 

J. Hanley "Christian Anarchist" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science (with InfoTrac) (Paperback)

I haven't used this book, but need to correct the review by "A Student."

The roots of the Republican Party are classical liberalism. I.e., the liberalism of John Locke; the liberalism that believes in individual property rights and free markets. We call Republicans conservatives, but the classical conservatives believed in a more rigid class system and distrusted free markets because they disrupt social orders.

Perhaps "A Student" should have spent more time listening and less time complaining. He might have learned something.

And that, in a nutshell, is the great difficulty in teaching political science. When teaching chemistry, students don't assume they already know everything. When teaching political science, some students are unable to learn because they are convinced they already know. It only happens with strong conservatives and strong liberals. God bless the moderates--they're the only ones with open minds.

2 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars extremely liberally biased view of politics, July 28, 2004

By 

a student "a student" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to Political Science (with InfoTrac) (Paperback)

I used this book for PoliSci 101 and although I found it easy to read, I was bothered throughout by the assumptions that every person shares Grigsby's liberal political views on abortion, homosexual issues, etc. I felt as if this book was trying to convert all students into democrats, as if it were THE WAY. The message throughout was, democrat=good, republican=bad. The text even misconstrued the Republican party roots by calling it quote, classical liberalism, unquote. I would rather a textbook to be more unbiased and present information without a liberal agenda attached. However, this may be why it appeals to university professors in the first place.