Politics without history has no roots; history without politics bears no fruits. If one inquires into the content of the relation between politics and history, then one discovers it is defined by symbiotic dependence. Those who are trained in history also take into account the political dimensions of history, and those educated in political…

This article conceptually defines new political history, an approach to history represented by attempts to adopt the quantitative and scientific methods of the social sciences. It provides a history of the roots of the new political history and explores the question of how scientific social scientific history should try to be. (JDH)

Noting that recent years have produced an explosion of work in the fields of constitutional and legal history, this article identifies the conclusions and interpretive issues such studies have generated. The impact of social scientific historical methodology and social history are also assessed. (JDH)

Discusses the importance of the Northwest Ordinance to the nation, the Northwest Territories, and Indiana Territory. Concludes the document is fundamental for U.S. history instruction and advocates that it should be studied in the social studies classroom. (RKM)

Examines the essential elements of comparative government and politics textbooks, describing the difficulties involved in trying to cover all topics. Reviews several introductory political science textbooks, concluding that universal texts are too broad, and therefore inadequate. Proposes several qualities that contribute to good textbooks and…

Investigates the development of the United States Constitution in the twentieth century up to and including the Burger Court. Contends that interpreting the Constitution is an important issue of our times. Consequently argues that we should teach students about the development of this document. (RKM)

Notes the importance of using documents in teaching social studies. Describes several sources which teachers can use to teach about the United States Constitution and the Northwest Ordinance in the bicentennial year of 1987. Describes and lists several organizations, programs, and materials. (RKM)

Discusses the norms within which Italian historical literature is produced, stating that they are important generally to the work of Italian historians and particularly in understanding the recent historical literature on Italian radicalism. Surveys the post-World War II progress of the historiography of Italian radicalism, recommending areas of…

Reports results of a study of social science knowledge and critical-thinking ability among preservice teachers and five other college majors. Provides historical comparisons in addition to contemporary data. Results indicate that commonly perceived notion that elementary preservice teachers represent least knowledgeable body in the university…

Discusses political education in the postwar Federal Republic of Germany. Describes a U.S. led reeducation program founded upon principles of denazification and democracy and examines German responses. Identifies the influence of the Soviet Union upon West German education. Analyzes the growth of political education in the 1960s, its maturation,…

Discusses the origins of radicalism in Italy, specifically the emergence in 1831 of Giuseppe Mazzini as the advocate of Italian nationalism and radicalism. Examines Mazzini's role in Italy and among European revolutionaries, concluding that his legacy led to the establishment of the Italian republic in the twentieth century. (GEA)

Argues that the Northwest Ordinance should be emphasized more in U.S. government and U.S. history classes. Contends that the Northwest Ordinance is an innovative instrument of self government which students should study, and discusses the global aspects of using this document. Concludes the Northwest Ordinance and the U.S. Constitution are…

Traces the development of radicalism from the 1789 French Revolution to the present. States that radical philosophy has its roots in rationalism and Enlightenment thought and was linked to positivism during the nineteenth century. Despite the failings of radicalism and the Radical Party, the radical tradition set precedents for current political…

States that the English radical tradition was inclusive of all classes; derived from a fundamental humanitarian impulse; and without an established purpose. Discusses the ideological significance of English middle-class radicalism, investigating who the radicals were, how they operated, and what reforms they wanted. (GEA)

Discusses the activities of German intellectuals who became political activists in France and Germany during the French revolutionary period. Examines how literature became a means to revolutionize the philosophy of these writers. Describes the revolutionary continuum in Germany from the Mainz Republic to the 1848 revolution. (GEA)