Nearly all living Americans grew up taking democracy for granted. Until recently, many believed--and acted as if--the constitutional system was unbreakable, no matter how recklessly politicians behaved. No longer. Americans watch with growing unease as the political system threatens to go off the rails: costly government shutdowns, stolen Supreme…

Although civic education has experienced a significant revitalization during the past two decades, America's high schools are not adequately preparing young people for self-governance and civic participation. While an estimated 90 percent of American high school students take a Civics or American Government course, a majority of graduates are…

Advice to candidates for elected office centers on the formation of committees to take care of those all-important details. (WM)

The 1981 French elections mark a political watershed, demonstrating that women voters have moved from political passivity to activism, both in use of voting rights and in legislative participation. A variety of demographic, social, and political changes have contributed to this changing political consciousness. (MSE)

Research on schoolboard and city council elections over a 60-year period in Santa Barbara, California, indicates that the community made roughly simultaneous changes in policy direction in both political areas. The study examines the effects of common ideologies or values on electoral issues and candidates as well as the role of elections as…

Observes the ideological evolution of the Likud party in Israel. For years the Likud labored in the shadow of the predominant socialist party structure, emerging in 1977 as a major political force. Although united in their core belief of sovereignty for Jewish settlements, the party recently has suffered political fragmentation. (MJP)

This is one unit of the series described in SO 000 378. In this study of the American political system the principle is accepted that political parties are essential instruments for the governing and social change in a modern democratic state. Political change and development indicate a basic shift in the nature of government; this shift is…