America Today: Political Theory and Practical Politics

America Today: Political Theory and Practical Politics helps students make connections between political theory and the real world politics of 21st Century America. The readings are presented from the perspective that while the parameters of modern citizenship may have changed, the questions of the great political theorists remain as salient as ever. The text presents a variety of writings ranging from Plato's Republic to Friedrich von Hayek's A Road to Serfdom. These works question the role of the federal government and how it creates opportunities for citizens to live the best possible lives. They also explore how these questions have been responded to throughout history. In working through the anthology, students will explore the nature of human beings, and how people should live together to form a society that successfully balances liberty and security. America Today is suited to courses in political science, pre-law, and history. It can also serve as a supplemental reader for classes in philosophy, sociology, and interdisciplinary studies.