With the historic tension between elite and popular models of American democracy as a framework THE DEMOCRATIC DEBATE offers a compelling examination of American democracy Special attention is given to people whose actions demonstrate how individuals can make a difference Recent events including the government s response to the financial crisis Supreme Court decisions on campaign finance and health care the dramatic appearance of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements and the 2012 presidential election demonstrate contemporary relevance for this critical perspective on how to study politics With the historic tension between elite and popular models of American democracy as a framework THE DEMOCRATIC DEBATE offers a compelling examination of American democracy Special attention is given to people whose actions demonstrate how individuals can make a difference Recent events including the government s response to the financial ...crisis Supreme Court decisions on campaign finance and health care the dramatic appearance of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements and the 2012 presidential election demonstrate contemporary relevance for this critical perspective on how to study politics