POLI 2, Comparative Government: Library Books

Since the inception of the United States, certain democratic principles have been inherent to the nation's political identity. Theoretically, this means that all citizens should receive equal representation and opportunity. However, income inequality has grown in recent years and shows no signs of slowing. Some argue that the wealthy are given unequal power over the government and society as a whole, creating an oligarchy. The viewpoints in this volume examine the development of the country from political, social, and economic perspectives to determine whether the country can still be considered a democracy.

As the world nears 8 billion people, the countries that have led the global order since World War II are becoming the most aged societies in human history. At the same time, the world's poorest and least powerful countries are suffocating under an imbalance of population and resources. I

A work of extraordinary range and striking originality, The Gun, the Ship, and the Pen traces the global history of written constitutions from the 1750s to the twentieth century, modifying accepted narratives and uncovering the close connections between the making of constitutions and the making of war.

Most violent jihadi movements in the twentieth century focused on removing corrupt, repressive secular regimes throughout the Muslim world. But following the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, a new form of jihadism emerged--global jihad--turning to the international arena as the primary locus of ideology and action.

What extremism is, how extremist ideologies are constructed, and why extremism can escalate into violence.

The comprehensive history of the role of war and terror in the spread of Islam.

How did the lands that are today Syria survive the vicissitudes of centuries of Ottoman, Egyptian, and French rule, only to stand in ruins today, shattered by a brutal civil war?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, was established by several western nations after World War II to create a collective security defense against Soviet aggression. Continuing long after the breakup of the Soviet Union, this peacetime military alliance has grown since its inception, now counting 30 member states from North America and Europe. Providing historical context and current examples, the viewpoints in this resource explore and debate NATO's relevance and effectiveness in a world vastly different than the one the organization was conceived in.