This critical thinking approach to American government asks students to evaluate the quality of democracy in America today within a unique framework that offers a holistic view of our system. The eighth edition of this best-selling text has been completely updated through the 2006 midterm elections. Continuing to offer its lively, critical thinking approach to the course,The Struggle for Democracyis organized around two themes: "Using the Democracy Standard" and "Using the Framework." The first theme, woven throughout the narrative of the entire book, asks students to evaluate the health and vitality of American democracy today against a "democratic ideal" that is carefully defined in the first chapter. The text's second theme, "Using the Framework," asks students to look at the structures underlying our political systemsuch as the economy, society, cultural values, technologyand examine how these structures affect, and are affected by, our political system.