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Contemporary America / Russell Duncan and Joseph Goddard.
LIBRA E169.12 .D855 2003
Available from offsite location
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Duncan, Russell.
- Series:
- Contemporary states and societies
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Civilization.
- United States--Civilization--1970-.
- United States.
- United States--Civilization--21st century.
- Physical Description:
- xv, 304 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm.
- Place of Publication:
- Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.
- Summary:
- The United States of America dominates the twenty-first-century world both in military as well as in political power and in its cultural influence as a model of the "good life" and a desired destination for migration. Like previous pre-eminent states, however, the USA also has its enemies and detractors. This was most dramatically manifested in the attacks on Washington and New York of September 11, 2001. But there are many more critics who, while appalled by such terrorist atrocities, are concerned by the cultural impact of the United States on traditional values and, especially since the election of George W. Bush as President, by increasing signs of unilateralism in foreign policy and an apparent retreat from international commitments and cooperation. Contemporary America provides a lively but learned introduction to the culture, economy, society, politics, and world role of the United States, all carefully set in historical context. Russell Duncan and Joseph Goddard offer balanced and provocative discussions of American diversity and community, of the importance and role of immigration, race and religion, and of the distinctive features of the US system of government and its economic and social structure. Illustrated throughout with relevant photographs, maps, charts, tables and boxes, this broad-ranging text covers everything from rock music to national parks and from media corporations to Medicare and is an ideal starting-point in American studies for students and interested general readers alike.
- Contents:
- 1 History 6
- The Rise of a Nation 7
- The Rise to World Power 18
- From Isolation to World Power 23
- The Cold War 27
- The 1990s 34
- 2 Land and People 37
- Regions 52
- Immigration 67
- 3 Government 74
- The Constitution 75
- The Federal System 79
- The Branches of Government 83
- 4 The Political System 102
- The 2000 Election 102
- Participatory Democracy 103
- Political Parties 109
- Politics 114
- 5 Society 126
- Class 126
- The American Family 132
- Women 137
- Race 140
- Crime and Punishment 144
- 6 Religion, Education, and Social Policy 151
- Social Services 173
- 7 Culture 180
- Diversity 180
- The Rise of American Culture 183
- Leisure Time 185
- Print Media 187
- Mass Entertainment 190
- Government Activities 194
- The World Wide Web 196
- Sports 198
- The Arts 201
- Popular Music 203
- 8 The Economy 207
- The US Domestic Economy 208
- Labor Unions 214
- Business and Industry 216
- Government and Business 219
- The Global Marketplace 225
- 9 Foreign Policy 229
- History of Foreign Policy 229
- The Cold War, 1945-91 232
- The New World Order 239
- 11 September 2001 246
- Low Politics 249
- Separation of Powers and Foreign Policy 250
- The Administration of Foreign Policy 251
- Transatlantic Balance 252
- 10 Prospects for the Twenty-First Century 254
- US Nationalism 255
- Economics 258
- The War on Terrorism 260
- Society 264
- Health and Environment 266.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 275-293) and index.
- ISBN:
- 0333915763
- 0333915771
- OCLC:
- 51854902
- Online:
- Publisher description
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