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"Scholars across several social science disciplines have indicated
that the behavior described by the term ""civic engagement"" is
girded by a set of attitudes that show knowledge about, and
positive evaluations of, government and politics. Drawing on
extensive interviews with high school students from a variety of
socioeconomic backgrounds, Cultivating Democracy examines the
sources of those attitudes, including individual characteristics,
and the qualities of local environments that shape the experiences
of late adolescence. The authors gathered data on adolescent
attitudes by interviewing students in a wide variety of locations,
from Baltimore's inner city and suburbs to the most affluent
communities in Montgomery County, Maryland. Focusing initially on
attitudes toward ethnic diversity and immigration, the authors
expanded their focus to the political socialization of young
people, including patriotism and political knowledge and
participation. The authors demonstrate how political socialization
is shaped through the social messages presented to citizens by
others. According to Gimpel, Lay, and Schuknecht, while formal
education as a means of socializing youth is critically important,
other useful means for communicating positive socializing messages,
through political parties, elections, and the media, have been
ignored. They recommend compensatory strategies to promote civic
engagement among those who are at risk to be nonparticipants. "
In recent years, political discourse about gun control and the
Second Amendment has become increasingly volatile and this
collection of original essays by top scholars illuminates the
various reasons why. Gun lobbies such as the National Rifle
Association are more organized and aggressive and their issue
agenda has evolved as new and more powerful weapons and militia
appear. On the other side of the debate, the critical wounding of
James Brady gave gun control advocates a visible martyr with strong
ties to Republican conservatives. In sum, gun control and the right
to bear arms have become hotly disputed issues where political
alignments are constantly shifting. The contributors chart these
changes and explore how Congress, the courts, the President, and
individual states are currently addressing the issue of gun
control. This book, which includes profiles and examinations of
relevant interest groups, the gun control coalition, recent Supreme
Court decisions, and public opinion surveys, will be of great
interest to classes in political science, American government, law,
and sociology.
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