right and left (political science)

A debate-style reader that examines current controversies in world politics, with writings representing the views of political scientists, lawmakers, and political commentators, with an overview of each debate's opposing sides and its impact on world politics.

Explores alliances between conservative and progressive forces and shows how these left-right partnerships are breaking ground in combating corporate-government tyranny and making bureaucrats more accountable to the interests of U.S. citizens.

"In The Great Debate Yuval Levin explores the origins of the familiar left/right divide in American politics by examining the views of the men who best represent each side of that debate: Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine. In a groundbreaking exploration of the origins of our political order, Levin shows that our political divide did not originate (as many historians argue) in the French Revolution, but rather in the Anglo-American debate about that revolution. Burke and Paine were both utterly fascinating figures--active in politics, versed in philosophy, and two of the best, most effective and powerful political writers and polemicists in the history of the English speaking world. Levin sets the work of these two men against the dramatic history of their era and shows how they mixed theory and practice to advance their very different notions of liberty, equality, nature, history, reason, revolution, and reform. Paine believed in radical change and saw the American and French Revolutions as catalysts for creating a new society; Burke believed in a significantly more gradual approach with each generation acting merely as part of a long chain of history. These differing approaches to revolution and reform created a division that continues to shape our current political discourse--including issues ranging from gun control and abortion to welfare and economic reform"--.

Explains the basic political and social beliefs of conservatives, discussing what it is like to be conservative in today's liberal political world.

Presents the political perspective of Ronn Owens that combines both conservative and liberal ideas on such issues as the economy, morality, the NRA, and taxes, and attempts to address the problems of the nation from an unbiased point of view.

Examines the political differences that define Americans and shape their voting style and beliefs, revealing the ideological poles and contribute to the country's diverse political perspectives.

Examines the life, ideas, and impact of novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand on conservative political thought, covering her upbringing, success and facets of her work pertaining to the promotion of capitalism and support of a limited government that stem from her experience with Communism.

Argues in favor of the new radical middle as a solution to the divisiveness of the two major political parties in the United States. Proposes innovative solutions to the problems of health care, corporate responsibility, and a fair draft policy should it be instituted.