The Challenge of Democracy Brief addresses current political issues and controversies within a non-ideological framework and explores the inherent conflict among freedom, order, and equality in the American political system and tensions between the majoritarian and pluralist models of democracy. Updates to the Fourth Edition include thorough coverage of the 2000 Presidential election, the impeachment and acquittal of President Clinton, and the 1998 Congressional elections. Politics in a Changing America boxes highlight the ongoing shifts in American political culture and public opinion to illustrate changes in the political participation and influence of interest groups in America. Compared with What? features in each chapter provide a global perspective that helps students evaluate the US political system as it compares to those of other countries. Instructional features include annotated Internet resources at the end of every chapter, key terms, chapter summaries, and suggestions for further reading.