The Challenge of Politics
Web Resources
The following links will help you explore the themes of Chapter 6 on the Web.
The Politics 1 Web site is a comprehensive guide to American politics. It provides a thorough review of American political parties, with brief descriptions of each and links to official party Web sites. Politics 1 also offers guides to ideologies (right, left, libertarian, and radical) and to specific political issues. In addition, the site provides news links and federal and state campaign information.
The History Channel is a Web site sponsored by the A&E television network. It is a reference for all significant historical events. Use this extensive site to find out more about the rise of democracy by looking up Pericles, the Reformation, republics, the French Revolution, and the New Deal. Also, take note of the site’s study guides, exhibits, and discussion forums.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
IDEA is an international organization that promotes and advances sustainable democracy by improving electoral processes worldwide. The IDEA Web site offers information related to democratic themes and concerns, full texts of new publications, and election data. There is also information on the state of democracy in numerous countries as well as an interactive questionnaire that you can use to assess the state of democracy in your own country.
The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
The Center for Democracy and Technology’s mission is to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age. Specifically, the center fights for expanded rights of expression and privacy. This Web site urges visitors to get involved and offers links to other activist Web sites. The publications section provides numerous news and journal articles concerning issues such as civil liberties, equality, law, and privacy.
The Alliance for Democracy (AfD)
The Alliance for Democracy is a progressive populist movement that fights to protect democracy, the media, the economy, and culture from domination by large corporations. This site explains AfD’s central campaigns, such as its “clean elections” campaign, and reports the latest developments. The central goal of this site is to gain membership and momentum for the grassroots movement.
This site collects numerous journalistic accounts on current American politics. Articles are from major news sources, such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. There are links to other important political Web sites and blogs as well.