Importing democracy : ideas from around the world to reform and revitalize American politics and government / Raymond A. Smith.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, Raymond A.

Series:

New trends and ideas in American politics.

New trends and ideas in American politics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democratization--United States.

Democratization.

United States--Politics and government.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (264 p.)

Place of Publication:

Santa Barbara, Calif. : Praeger, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This unique work brings together a comparative analysis of American institutions, a tour of the world's political systems, and a manifesto for reform, offering insights on democracy that could revitalize U.S. politics and government.

Contents:

Importing Democracy; Contents; Acknowledgments; Introduction; PART ONE: REFORMING AND REVITALIZING PARTIES AND ELECTIONS; Chapter 1 Adopt Proportional Representation; Chapter 2 Move toward a Multiparty System; Chapter 3 Establish Runoff Elections for Executive Offices; Chapter 4 Abolish the Electoral College; Chapter 5 Simplify and Shorten the Electoral Process; Chapter 6 Advance Minorities and Women in Elected Office; Chapter 7 Introduce Compulsory Voting; Chapter 8 Institute a System of National Referenda; PART TWO: REFORMING AND REVITALIZING THE PRESIDENCY AND CONGRESS

Chapter 9 Allow "Removal for Cause" of the PresidentChapter 10 Abolish the Vice Presidency; Chapter 11 Hold Special Presidential Elections; Chapter 12 Add Elected Officers to the Executive; Chapter 13 Rein in the President's Legislative and Judicial Powers; Chapter 14 Synchronize the Terms of Congress and the President; Chapter 15 Weaken the Senate; Chapter 16 Depoliticize the Creation of Congressional Districts; PART THREE: REFORMING AND REVITALIZING THE COURTS AND THE CONSTITUTION; Chapter 17 Allow Legislative Overrides of Judicial Opinions

Chapter 18 Empower Courts to Issue Advisory OpinionsChapter 19 Add Social and Economic Protections to the Constitution; Chapter 20 Streamline the Constitutional Amendment Process; Chapter 21 Call a Constitutional Convention; Conclusion: Rankings of the Ideas and Priorities for Reform; Appendix 1: Key Excerpts from the Constitution of the United States of America; Appendix 2: The Presidential and Parliamentary Systems: A Comparison; Glossary; Notes; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780313363382

0313363382

OCLC:

651599573