Power and Choice: An Introduction to Political Science

by W. Phillips Shively

W. Phillips Shively’s Power & Choice offers an in-depth look into the nuances of politics, both domestic and international, through the use of multiple comparative perspectives and theoretical approaches. The major theme reflected in the title is based on Shively’s definition of politics as the making of collective choices for a group or state through the use of power. Using extended case examples from around the world, Power & Choice provides undergraduate students with a clear and engaging introduction to political philosophy, comparative legal systems, and international politics.

Highlights of the fifteenth

Additional coverage of the continuing fallout of the 2008–2009 worldwide economic crisis, the failed Arab Spring, the upsurge of populism and the fragility of democracies, and the Nigerian elections.New sections on the importance of norms in democratic government, the need to strike a balance in partisanship, the digital challenge to political parties, and the rise of “court” politics.New examples include Rwanda’s attempt to eliminate the use of plastic bags, the two large-scale uprisings in Iran since its revolution, and climate change as an international problem of public goods.A new four-color design and updated art program to better engage students.New pedagogical aids include “Major Themes to Look For” and review questions in every chapter, as well as new online study quizzes.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Academic, Philosophy, Political Science

465 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Since it is marketed as an "Introduction to Political Science" it's getting the lowest possible rating. While it is very base level (I read this for a college course but I've read more complex stuff in secondary school, this could just be an Europe-American difference though), it is extremely biased. I say extremely because it doesn't acknowledge its own bias at all. If it was upfront about being right-of-center (American standards) I probably wouldn't be as harsh. But Shively continuously writes as if he is being objective while being subjective. I was going in prepared that this was America and the politics would be more right leaning and conservative than home, but I was still shocked. If I hadn't had social sciences from home I'm not sure I would have spotted all the biases, since a lot of it is subtle (just like effective propaganda...), and bordering on it being wrong information or a misleading lack of information on some schools of thought, theories, ideologies, and real world examples. There was also a number of cases where I'm not sure if he was trying to give the student confidence by 'solving' a political issue or if he genuinely didn't know the answers (asking open-ended questions like 'we can't be sure why x happened', yet having just said the years these changes began and if you google or have basic history knowledge you will recognise them as Years Where America Fucked Up or Years Of Social Change or something like that).
All in all I would not recommend for an introduction of political science, but maybe if you want to look at American Conservative rhetoric and right-wing for a project and want to see how this is often self-described as 'evident' and 'rational' and 'objective' despite being ideological. It could also be interesting to compare to philosophical debates - here I'm specifically thinking the debate on the existence of universal truths and the frequent criticisms this idea has of being imperialistic, Eurocentric, assumes male superiority and binary gender, heteronormativity, racial superiority, etc and how these things are often argued to be as rational and self-evident.

[Thao Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

An informative book for beginners in political science but with highly biased viewpoints from the author, I don’t recommend this book. He did a dirty view about feminism and policies to solve economic inequality. “To increase education is to make everyone in society more productive” is a such capitalist view which he doesn’t consider the real meaning and impact of education.

[Ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, so far, has served well enough for my distance Govt 102 class but I'm almost certain we could have a better introductory text. (Or at least as good with a smaller price tag but the price is beside the point.)

I dislike the tone and Shively's tendency to oversimplify or gloss, especially some of the more subjective, concepts within the text.

[Marlo Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish you could give books negative ratings... This is a terrible book, each page makes me feel like my education levels are warring with each other, and this book is losing.

[Abidogun Theo Jr.]

Its great.

[Nathalie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most riveting read, but informative enough to keep you interested.

[Raluuuuuu]

politics 101 for dummies, rlly easy to understand and a colid basis BUT it is so US-biased // kinda happy to get rid of you

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shively has a bias that roars in at odd times, but this is a thorough primer for the broad field of political science. If I had one other critique it would be that some of his definitions are a tad fuzzy for a 101 book. It could have been clearer.

[Nick Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rather marginal textbook for an independent study in world politics back in high school. Oh well, it got me a 5 on the AP Comparative Politics exam.

[Mystistar115 The Bookist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another textbook I had to read for class. This one was more enjoyable. I found it interesting that the author clearly put in his opinions. A different read.