"Wenz maps out twelve political philosophies - ranging from theocracy and free-market conservatism to feminism and cosmopolitanism - on which Americans draw when taking political positions. He then turns his focus to some of America's most controversial issues and, through in-depth discussions of fourteen of them, shows how ideologically diverse coalitions can emerge. These hot-button issues include extending life by artificial means (as in the Terri Schiavo case), the war on drugs, the war on terrorism, affirmative action, abortion, same-sex marriage, health care, immigration, and globalization."--Jacket.