American Government: Policy and Politics, 10th Edition

Known for its extremely student-friendly, jargon-free style, the new edition of American Government: Policy and Politics introduces the essentials of American government in a way that any student can understand.

 

Public policy is emphasized throughout to show students the impact that government has on their lives. The text also offers an abundance of debate-style boxes and active learning exercises to involve and engage students in the course material and encourage them to become participants in their government. As a Longman Study Edition, this text includes a battery of chapter tests for student study and practice.  This edition features the results of the 2008 elections, and discussion of some of the hottest political issues of the day, such as immigration reform and the challenge posed by nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea.

Introduction         Government, Politics, and the Policymaking Process

The Importance of Government

Government and Politics

The Public Policy Approach

 

Chapter 1                A Changing America in a Changing World

Political Culture

The International Environment

The Demographic Environment

The Economic Environment  

Conclusion: The Cultural, International, and Socioeconomic Context for Policymaking

 

Chapter 2                The American Constitution  

The Background of the Constitution

Constitutional Principles  

The Living Constitution  

The Constitution, Politics, and Public Policy  

Conclusion: The Constitutional Environment for Policymaking  

 

Chapter 3                The Federal System  

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism  

Federal Grant Programs  

Conclusion: Federalism and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 4                Public Opinion  

Political Socialization  

Measuring Public Opinion  

Political Knowledge  

Support for Democratic Principles

Political Trust and Political Legitimacy  

Political Efficacy  

Political Philosophy

Conclusion: Public Opinion and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 5                Political Participation  

Forms of Participation  

Explaining Participation  

Patterns of Participation  

Nonvoters

Trends in Voter Turnout  

Participation Rates in Comparative Perspective

Increasing Voter Turnout

Participation Bias  

Conclusion: Political Participation and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 6                The Media

The Media Landscape

Government Regulation of the News Media

Covering the News

Media Biases

Conclusion: The Media and Public Policy 

 

 

Chapter 7                Interest Groups  

Why People Join Groups

Types of Interest Groups  

Interest Group Tactics  

The Strength of Interest Groups

Conclusion: Interest Groups and Public Policy

 

Chapter 8                Political Parties  

The Party System  

Party Organization  

Political Cycles and Party Realignment

Party Identification: Democrats, Republicans, and Independents

Voting Patterns  

Issue Orientation

Divided Government  

Conclusion: Political Parties and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 9                Elections  

Types of Elections  

Election Districts and Redistricting  

Election Campaigns  

Congressional Elections

Presidential Elections  

The Voters Decide  

Conclusion: Elections and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 10                Congress  

Bicameralism  

Membership  

Organization  

The Legislative Process  

Conclusion: Congress and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 11              The Presidency  

The Constitutional Presidency  

Presidential Powers

Two Presidencies Thesis

The Development of the Modern Presidency  

The Organization of the Presidency  

Theories of Presidential Leadership

Presidential Popularity  

The Presidency in Context  

Conclusion: The Presidency and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 12              The Federal Bureaucracy  

Organization of the Bureaucracy  

Personnel  

Rulemaking  

Politics and Administration  

Subgovernments and Issue Networks  

Conclusion: The Federal Bureaucracy and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 13              The Federal Courts  

Judicial Policymaking  

Political History of the Supreme Court  

The Federal Court System  

Power, Politics, and the Courts  

Conclusion: The Courts and Public Policy  

 

Chapter 14              Economic Policymaking  

The Goals of Economic Policy  

Tax Revenues  

Budget Deficits and Surpluses  

Government Expenditures  

Fiscal Policymaking

Monetary Policymaking  

Conclusion: Economic Policymaking  

 

Chapter 15              Civil Liberties Policymaking  

The Constitutional Basis of Civil Liberties Policymaking  

Civil Liberties Issues and Policies  

Conclusion: Civil Liberties Policymaking  

 

Chapter 16              Civil Rights Policymaking  

The Constitutional Basis of Civil Rights Policymaking  

Civil Rights Issues and Policies  

Conclusion: Civil Rights Policymaking

 

Chapter 17              Foreign and Defense Policymaking  

The International Community  

The Ends and Means of American Foreign and Defense Policy  

The History of American Foreign Policy  

Foreign Policy

Defense Policy  

Conclusion: Foreign and Defense Policymaking