As crime rates inexorably rose during the tumultuous years of the 1970s, disputes over how to handle the violence sweeping the nation quickly escalated. James Q. Wilson redefined the public debate by offering a brilliant and provocative new argument—that criminal activity is largely rational and shaped by the rewards and penalties it offers—and forever changed the way Americans think about crime. Now with a new foreword by the prominent scholar and best-selling author Charles Murray, this revised edition of Thinking About Crime introduces a new generation of readers to the theories and ideas that have been so influential in shaping the American justice system.
In his new preface, Wilson reviews changes in police styles during the past decade, and explains the reasons for these changes. Varieties of Police Behavior remains unsurpassed in delineating the role of the patrolman and the problems he faces due to constraints imposed by law, politics, public opinion, and the expectations of superiors.
A major work by one of America's eminent political scientists, Political Organizations has had a profound impact on how we view the influence of interest groups on policymaking. James Wilson wrote this book to counter two ideas: that popular interests will automatically generate political organizations and that such organizations will faithfully mirror the opinions and interests of their members. Moreover, he demonstrated that the way in which political organizations (including parties, business groups, labor unions, and civil rights associations) are created and maintained has a profound impact on the opinions they represent and the tactics they use. Now available for the first time in paperback, this book has broadened its scope to include recently developed organizations as it addresses many of today's concerns over the power of such groups as special-interest lobbies. In 1973, when this book was first published, the press and public were fascinated by the social movements of the 1960s, thinking that the antiwar and civil rights movements might sweep aside old-fashioned interest-group lobbies. Wilson argued, however, that such movements would inevitably be supplanted by new organizations, ones with goals and tactics that might direct the course of action away from some of the movements' founding principles. In light of the current popular distress with special-interest groups and their supposed death-grip on Congress, Wilson again attempts to modify a widely held view. He shows that although lobbies have multiplied in number and kind, they remain considerably constrained by the difficulty they have in maintaining themselves.
This popular brief edition text maintains the framework of the Wilson, DiIulio, and Bose complete text, emphasizing the historical development of the American political system, who governs, and to what ends. Completely up to date, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: BRIEF VERSION, Eleventh Edition offers new coverage of such key and emerging issues as the 2012 campaigns and elections; leadership of President Obama and the 112th Congress; the economic downturn and ensuing policies; healthcare reform; foreign relations with North Korea and Iran; the war in Afghanistan; and more. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
This popular brief text for the American Government course emphasizes the historical development of the American political system, who governs, and to what ends. The twelfth edition of AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES, BRIEF VERSION, offers coverage of the 2014 campaigns and elections; budget battles and the sequestration of funds; ongoing debates about immigration, gay marriage, and other key issues in American politics; and foreign-policy decisions on Afghanistan, the Middle East, and North Korea. The text also emphasizes critical-thinking skills and includes many tools to help students maximize their study efforts and results, such as Learning Objectives in every chapter. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
Are human beings naturally endowed with a conscience? Or is morality artificially acquired through social pressure and instruction? Most people assume that modern science proves the latter. Further, most of our current social policies are based upon this “scientific” view of the sources of morality. In this book, however, James Q. Wilson seeks to reconcile traditional ideas with a range of important empirical research into the sources of human behavior over the last fifty years. Marshalling evidence drawn from diverse scientific disciplines, including animal behavior, anthropology, evolutionary theory, biology, endocrinology, brain science, genetics, primatology, education and psychology, Wilson shows that the facts about the origin and development of moral reasoning are not at odds with traditional views predating Freud, Darwin and Marx. Our basic sense of right and wrong actually does have a biological and behavioral origin. This “moral sense” arises from the infant’s innate sociability, though it must also be nurtured by parental influence. Thus, this book revives ancient traditions of moral and ethical argument that go back to Aristotle, and reunifies the separate streams of philosophical and scientific knowledge that for so long were regarded as unbridgeable.
Acclaimed for the scholarship of its prominent authors and the clarity of its narrative, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES sets the standard for public policy coverage while maintaining focus on three fundamental topics: the institutions of American government; the historical development of governmental procedures, actors, and policies; and who governs in the United States and to what ends. Student involvement in the material is bolstered by proven pedagogical features such as chapter outlines, Who Governs? and To What Ends? learning objective questions framing each chapter and How Things Work boxes that summarize important facts. The significantly enhanced media package with new online tools makes the learning experience engaging and accessible. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
The Essentials preserves the structure of the main text but replaces the policy chapters with one brief chapter on the policymaking process. See the entry for Wilson/DiIulio, American Government: Institutions and Policies, Eleventh Edition, for more information. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
This popular brief edition text for the one-semester or one-quarter American Government course maintains the framework of Wilson's complete text, emphasizing the historical development of the American political system, who governs, and to what end. Completely up to date, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, BRIEF, 9e offers new coverage of such key and emerging issues as creationism and the establishment clause, tactics from the 2008 presidential campaign, Congressional ethics, repercussions from the Valerie Plume scandal, national debt, the Social Security debate, military involvement in Iraq, and much more.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: INSTITUTIONS AND POLICIES: THE ESSENTIALS is a clear and approachable text for students trying to successfully understand American government. It sets the standard for examining current issues in American politics focusing on the importance of American governmental institutions, the historical development of governmental procedures and policies, and who governs in the United States and to what ends. It includes concise learning objectives, highlighted key concepts, and opportunities for practical application of contemporary debates on policy dynamics. These features allow students to identify important issues in American politics, maximize comprehension, and engage with the material in a meaningful way. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
Acclaimed for the scholarship of its prominent authors and the clarity of its narrative, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: THE ESSENTIALS preserves the structure of the main text but replaces the policy chapters with one brief chapter on the policymaking process while maintaining focus on three fundamental topics: the importance of institutions of American government; the historical development of governmental procedures, actors, and policies; and who governs in the United States and to what ends. Student involvement in the material is bolstered by proven pedagogical features such as learning objectives, Who Governs? and To What Ends? questions framing each chapter, and How Things Work boxes that illustrate important concepts. A state-of-the-art media package with new online tools makes the learning experience engaging and accessible. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.
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