Books in Dilemmas in Democracy series

Since the 2016 presidential election, the term fake news has entered the cultural lexicon. People of all ages find it difficult to separate reliable sources from misinformation. Similarly, it can be difficult to discern unbiased journalism from propaganda. This must-have resource looks at the rise of misinformation and the ease with which it now spreads. Through examples from the United States and democracies around the world, this book encourages readers to question the balance between constitutional rights and irreparable damage to democracy.

The issue of money looms large in American politics. A series of Supreme Court decisions have cleared the way for corporations and rich donors to pour money into the political system. Proponents of current campaign finance laws argue that it's their right to donate money. Opponents see unlimited corporate money as a threat to democracy itself. This important volume examines the role that money plays in politics and the arguments for and against the status quo.

Democracies are living institutions that adapt with the times. The Dilemmas in Democracy series empowers young citizens to understand nuanced topics, spotlighting key issues that democracies must navigate. Readers are encouraged to think critically about the bounds of free speech, how campaign donations shape elections, the limits of the right to vote, and more. Aligned with the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, this series presents ways for young people to get involved and explains how the United States' system of government compares to democracies around the world. Each book presents the debates surrounding newsworthy subjects while also contextualizing contemporary events. Features include: Presents objective discussions about today's nuanced debates. Primary-source texts and explanations of pertinent laws and sections of the Constitution. Explanations of how the media reports on highly charged topics and how media coverage shapes citizens' views. Suggestions for how young people can get involved in democratic processes. Provides a comprehensive look at the relationship between voters, government bodies, and the media.

The question of when to use military force is one of the most difficult that democracies face. What exactly constitutes self-defense and whether to intervene in a humanitarian crisis are questions that can quickly come to define a president's tenure in office. Readers will examine recent examples of military force around the world, whether they were justified, and their controversial legacies.

In addition to promoting cynicism among citizens, corruption fosters inequality, undermines democracy, and even threatens peace. Provide your readers with the tools to identify what does and does not constitute corruption and offer them examples of corruption in politics in the United States and abroad. This book also outlines steps that individuals and groups can take to combat corruption in politics, empowering readers to become engaged citizens.

The First Amendment is one of the most interesting, iconic, and vexing parts of the United States Constitution. Freedom of speech is a celebrated American right, yet there are bounds enforced in the interest of safety. This book explores the changing definitions and boundaries of free speech in democracies around the world and over time, compares current legal interpretations of free speech in the United States to those in other democratic nations, and asks readers to decide for themselves where the line should be drawn.

Democracies are living institutions that adapt with the times. The Dilemmas in Democracy series empowers young citizens to understand nuanced topics, spotlighting key issues that democracies must navigate. Readers are encouraged to think critically about the bounds of free speech, how campaign donations shape elections, the limits of the right to vote, and more. Aligned with the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, this series presents ways for young people to get involved and explains how the United States' system of government compares to democracies around the world. Each book presents the debates surrounding newsworthy subjects while also contextualizing contemporary events. Features include: Presents objective discussions about today's nuanced debates. Primary-source texts and explanations of pertinent laws and sections of the Constitution. Explanations of how the media reports on highly charged topics and how media coverage shapes citizens' views. Suggestions for how young people can get involved in democratic processes. Provides a comprehensive look at the relationship between voters, government bodies, and the media.

The First Amendment is one of the most interesting, iconic, and vexing parts of the United States Constitution. Freedom of speech is a celebrated American right, yet there are bounds enforced in the interest of safety. This book explores the changing definitions and boundaries of free speech in democracies around the world and over time, compares current legal interpretations of free speech in the United States to those in other democratic nations, and asks readers to decide for themselves where the line should be drawn.

Since the 2016 presidential election, the term "fake news" has entered the cultural lexicon. People of all ages find it difficult to separate reliable sources from misinformation. Similarly, it can be difficult to discern unbiased journalism from propaganda. This must-have resource looks at the rise of misinformation and the ease with which it now spreads. Through examples from the United States and democracies around the world, this book encourages readers to question the balance between constitutional rights and irreparable damage to democracy.

The question of when to use military force is one of the most difficult that democracies face. What exactly constitutes self-defense and whether to intervene in a humanitarian crisis are questions that can quickly come to define a president's tenure in office. Readers will examine recent examples of military force around the world, whether they were justified, and their controversial legacies.

Voter disenfranchisement occurs when people who have the right to vote are prevented from doing so. Students study its ugly history in the South but rarely learn about worrisome current examples of voter disenfranchisement. African American and Hispanic voters are much more likely to be told that they lack the correct identification to vote, have their names incorrectly removed from voting rolls, or learn that their polling place changed at the last minute. Additionally, individuals with criminal convictions face impediments to their right to vote. Many argue that this constitutes disenfranchisement, with fierce opinions on both sides of the issue. This must-have examines the scope of the problem and discusses recent efforts to stop this violation of civil rights.

In addition to promoting cynicism among citizens, corruption fosters inequality, undermines democracy, and even threatens peace. Provide your readers with the tools to identify what does and does not constitute corruption and offer them examples of corruption in politics in the United States and abroad. This book also outlines steps that individuals and groups can take to combat corruption in politics, empowering readers to become engaged citizens.