Based on the best-selling, full-length text "The Challenge of Democracy, "Eighth Edition, this brief version maintains the same framework and motifs in a shorter format. The pedagogy is linked to two main themes: the conflicting values of freedom, order, and equality, and the majoritarianism versus pluralism debate. In addition, a focus on globalization and its implications helps students put American government in a broader context. An extensive supplementary program that includes a text-specific web site, study guide, Internet Exercises, the Crosstabs software and IDEAlog.Complete coverage of current political events and issues includes the 2004 Presidential election, as well as the results of key races across the country; George W. Bush' s presidency, updates on the War on Terrorism and 9/11, campaign finance reform, and the Internet as a vehicle for group media. Brief callouts in the text inform students of "Talking Politics" audio clips on the accompanying web site and the instructor and student CDs, which allow students to " hear" politics through speeches and interviews, adding dimension to the learning experience. Features that promote critical thinking include "Looking to the Future, Can You Explain Why?" and "The Politics in a Changing World."

Based on the best-selling, full-length text THE CHALLENGE OF DEMOCRACY: GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA, Tenth Edition, this brief version maintains the same framework and motifs in a shorter format. The pedagogy is linked to two main themes: the conflicting values of freedom, order, and equality, and the majoritarianism versus pluralism debate. Extensively updated, this edition includes new examples, figures, data, and discussions about current issues. The authors have also added a balanced retrospective of the Bush presidency, as well as a focus on globalization and its implications and new comparative features that place the U.S. in a global context. The Seventh Edition also includes access to AmericansGoverning.org, an online learning environment designed specifically to engage students in the political process through a variety of media, including original videos, campaign commercials, writing excerpts, simulations, and additional sources. Additional media tools include the new "In Our Own Words" feature--downloadable chapter overviews in MP3 format narrated by the authors--and marginal references to the award-winning site, IDEAlog.org.