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On Democratization…

Listen to Zakaria’s Interview on NPR

Fareed Zakaria on the Rise of Illiberal Democracy (in case your media player does not function)

The assignment: listen to (or read) Zakaria  and take notes strategically, thoroughly, and thoughtfully. You may bullet point. I will collect and assess and assess your notes.

Chip Hauss on Democratization (Hauss is the author of your textbook and a contributor to the AP curriculum)

Age of Realism

Richard Hofstadter (1916 – 1970) was an American historian and public intellectual. Hofstadter, the DeWitt Clinton Professor of American History at Columbia University, became the “iconic historian of postwar liberal consensus”, largely because of his emphasis on ideas and political culture rather than the day-to-day doings of politicians. Among his most important works is The American Political Tradition (1948). Below is Chapter One of this critically acclaimed work.

Founding Fathers: An Age of Realism

Reading Responses

United States Government

Politics in the United States

World History



United States History



Who is Chavez?

Hugo Chavez is an enigma. He is either glorified or vilified; few seem to demonstrate a well-balanced view of him. Love him or hate him, Chavez has captured international headlines. Learn more about Chavez by reading the articles below and writing a 1.5-2 page, single-spaced response which addresses the following questions:

-what does Chavez believe? What are the strengths and weaknesses of his political belief system?

-what are the goals of Chavez (both domestically and in terms of foreign policy) and how does he plan to accomplish them?

-how is the world responding to the Chavez enigma? How should the world respond to Chavez?

-Is Chavez a great political leader? Why or why not?

In Search of Hugo Chavez

Interview with Chavez