Basics of American Politics, The, 13th Edition

This brief, nuts-and-bolts introduction to American government has been a student favorite and a bestseller for over 30 years because of its lively, straight-forward approach to the basics, its brevity, and its always inexpensive price.

 

This text uses a dynamic game metaphor to engage students in the basics of the American political system and the contact sport of politics.  Beginning with a clear definition of politics, it introduces four governmental and four nongovernmental “players” who must abide by the “rules of the game” established by the Constitution and civil liberties.  It ends by examining rival theories of who wins and who loses in American politics.  Written to engage students and lay a flexible foundation for instructors, The Basics of American Politics covers all the terms and topics behind the current news, situating politics in the classroom and beyond.

Preface

 

Chapter 1    What Is Politics?

                                    The First Day of Class

                                    Politics and Power

                                    The Need for Government

                                    The Study of Politics

                                    What Is This Book About?

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 2    The Constitution: Rules of the Game

                                    The Second Day of Class

                                    Background to the Constitution

                                    Four Major Constitutional Rights

                                    Why Has the Constitution Survived?

                                    Case Study: Federalism in a Storm: The Katrina Disaster

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 3    The Executive Branch: The Presidency and Bureaucracy

                                    The President and the Constitution

                                    History of the Presidency

                                    Types of Presidents

                                    The Public Presidency

                                    The Federal Bureaucracy

                                    Problems of Bureaucracy

                                    Case Study: 9/11: A President's Trial by Fire

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 4    The Legislative Branch: Congress

                                    Makeup of the Senate and House

                                    How Congress Works

                                    The Committee System

                                    Other Powers of Congress

                                    Case Study: Campaign Finance Reform

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 5    The Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court and the Federal Court System

                                    Federal Court System

                                    U.S. Supreme Court

                                    Strengths and Weaknesses of the Supreme Court

                                    The Court as a Political Player

                                    Case Study: Separate bu Equal?

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 6    Civil Rights and Liberties: Protecting the Players

                                    What Are Civil Liberties and Rights?

                                    Expanding the Bill of Rights

                                    Civil Liberties: Protecting People from Government

                                    Actors in Civil Liberties and Rights

                                    Case Study: Fighting Terrori, Guarding Liberties

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 7    Voters and Political Parties

                                    Voters

                                    Who Doesn't Vote?

                                    Political Parties

                                    View from the Inside: Party Organizations

                                    View from the Outside: The Two-Party System

                                    Case Study: Blogs, Howard Dean, and the 2004 Campaign

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 8    Interest Groups and the Media

                                    Interest Groups

                                    Media

                                    What are the Media?

                                    Media and the Marketplace of Ideas

                                    Case Study: The Candidate: A Day in the Life...

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Chapter 9    Who Wins, Who Loses: Pluralism versus Elitism

                                    Pluralism

                                    Elite

                                    The Debate

                                    Wrap-Up

                                    Thought Questions

                                    Suggested Readings

 

Appendix

                           The Declaration of Independence

                                    The Constitution of the United States

Glossary

Index