The irony of democracy : an uncommon introduction to American politics

The question at the center of the sixteenth edition of THE IRONY OF DEMOCRACY is How democratic is American society? While most American government texts address politics from a pluralist perspective, this text approaches the subject by addressing the theme of elitism and contrasting it with democratic theory and modern pluralist theory. As a result, this text helps readers understand why the U.S. government works as it does. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version. 1. The Irony of Democracy.2. The Elite Consensus of the Founding Fathers: U.S. Political Principles.3. Elites in America.4. Masses in the United States.5. The Media: Elite-Mass Communication.6. Elections, Parties and Democracy.7. Elites and Organized Interests.8. Congress: The Legislative Elite.9. The Presidency.10. Courts: Elites in Black Robes.11. The Bureaucratic Elite.12. Federalism: State and Community Elites.13. Civil Rights: Diversifying the Elite.14. The United States as Global EliteEpilogue: What Can Students Do?GlossaryAppendix: The Constitution of the United States of America.