Essentials of government

This book is designed to provide adequate preparation for advanced study in the field of political science and also to meet the needs of students who desire a general knowledge of the essentials of government. Its specific objectives other than the pro vision of information are to encourage creative thinking and to promote unbiased and critical consideration of political concepts, institutions, and practices. Inasmuch as impressions gained in intro ductory courses are difficult to uproot, proper attitudes and habits of thought ought to be developed on the occasion of initial contact with a particular branch of knowledge. A beginning course should lead students to think in terms of fundamentals, to question the validity of commonly accepted beliefs, to demand evidence in sup port of dogmatic assertions, and to refrain from indulging in generali zations which conflict with the realities of political life. The features of this book most likely to contribute to the realization of these aims are the emphasis placed on inquiry into the essential nature of political phenomena, the presentation of all sides of controversial questions, and the use of an objective approach to the study of gov ernment.