Bøger af Benjamin Ginsberg

States are thought only to exercise power over the land of the living. Benjamin Ginsberg argues otherwise, exploring the state's reach into the realm of the Grim Reaper, bureaucratizing death to strengthen the state's hold on life. He notes that increasingly institutions are using the regulation of death as an essential source of power. They do this by not only threatening death to their enemies but also securing loyalty and obedience by extending citizens' lives and promising to effectuate the postmortem fulfillment of citizens' antemortem desires. The state treats the loyal dead with respect, sometimes offering them a place in the secular afterlife of honor and memory, while consigning the faithless to the void.

"Many American jews believe that their most dangerous foes today are on the political right. To focus exclusively on the Far Right, however, misses the lethal and growing anti-Semitism threat from the political Left. Jews should by nature be aware of the existence of anti-Semitism anywhere. In the book of Exodus (32:9), God tells Moses that the Jews are a "stiff- necked people." It would appear today that the necks of some Jews have become so stiff from looking over their right shoulders that they are unable to turn enough for a quick peek to the left. America has been good for the Jews (and vice versa), but if Jewish history offers any lessons, among the foremost is that nothing good lasts forever. Most American Jews view the United States as their country, but Jews in the diaspora have never been able to take the future for granted anywhere or at any time. This book is a wake-up call for the complacent."--

This series of scholarly essays explores the unpleasant realities of modern politics--and American politics in particular--by examining how self-interest, war, violence, deception, and institutional failure continue to characterize the political landscape. Author Benjamin Ginsberg argues that the political world in which we like to think we live-the world of civic engagement, representative government and principled political discourse-is fleeting and fragile, resting uneasily upon the foundation of a harsh and dark reality. Making a fundamental contribution to our understandings of politics, this book is an important read for students and scholars of American Politics and Government.

An introduction to the U.S. Congress, from seasoned political historians and teachers

Noted political scientist Benjamin Ginsberg has written an essential text for courses on the United States presidency. An invaluable resource, Ginsberg's comprehensive analysis emphasizes the historical, constitutional, and legal dimensions of presidential power. He explores the history and essential aspects of the office, the president's relationship to the rest of the executive branch and to a subordinated Congress, and the evolution of the American president from policy executor to policy maker. Compelling photo essays delve into topics of special interest, including First Spouses, Presidential Eligibility, and Congressional Investigations of the White House.

One of the most common assumptions about World War II is that the Jews did not actively resist their own extermination. Ginsberg convincingly argues that the Jews not only resisted the Nazis, but actually played a major role in Germany's defeat. In this compelling, cogent history, we discover that Jews contributed powerfully to Hitler's end.

Going all the way back to the time of George Washington, much of what we see and hear in the political world consists of lies and deceptions. Despite assurances to the contrary, politics is not about truth, justice, and principle. It is about money, power, and status. As astute political commentator Ben Ginsberg convincingly demonstrates, politicians habitually lie, pretending to fight for principles, in order to conceal their true selfish motives. Citizens who needthe frequent injunctions to participate in politics and abjure political cynicism are likely to be duped into contributing their tax dollars and even their lives for dubious purposes. Most individuals gain little from political participation. Participants are the foot soldiers of political warfare,but even if their side is victorious, they receive few of the spoils of war. Thus, in this new political season, Ginsberg encourages citizens to think outside the (ballot) box, finding new ways to act on behalf of their interests and the public good. But if they do vote, their motto should be when in doubt vote them out. The elections of 2008 are a good time to begin.

This text provides an analysis of the variety of consequences that elections may have for the operation of American political institutions and the formulation and administration of policy.