Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introducing the ancient debate : the ideal versus the real -- Why government? : security, anarchy, and some basic group dynamics -- Governing society : we know who you are -- Government's role in the economy : the offer you can't refuse -- Structures and institutions : get off you and build that bike -- The executive (in bad Spanish) : el grande loco casa blanca -- The confederacy of dunces : the legislative function (not in bad Spanish) -- Brazilian bureaucracy : do we even need to bother with the jokes? -- Courts and law : politics behind the gavel -- Not quite right, but still good : the democratic ideal in modern politics -- Media, politics, and government : talking heads are better than none -- International politics : apocalypse now and then -- Chapter 13 was confiscated for your protection -- Political culture : sex and agriculture, getting rucked explains it all -- The lastest and bestest chapter : the study of politics -- Appendix A : Fiction appendix -- Appendix B : A strategic approach to writing for the classroom.