Moral Controversies in American Politics

No area of public policymaking is more hotly debated than the use of government authority to enforce certain standards of behavior in areas of moral controversy. Now thoroughly revised and updated, this collection examines nine such policy areas – ranging from abortion and affirmative action to gay rights – including two new chapters on animal rights and hate crimes. In discussing each policy area the book examines relevant issues and arguments, as well as policy shifts over time. It considers the roles of key political and institutional actors in policymaking – including lobbies and interest groups, the bureaucracy, the president, Congress, the judiciary, and state and local authorities. Written in an accessible style that is sure to spark classroom discussion, each chapter of this new edition includes a list of relevant books, web sites, and videos for further research.