Indhold: The Foundations of American Government; Federalism American Style; Elections in the United States; The American Party System; The Chief Executive; The legislarive Branch; The Bureaucracy; The Judiciary; The American Secret

To overcome the political deadlock that overshadows the pressing problems facing the United States, the academies top scholars address the causes and consequences of polarization in American politics, and suggest solutions for bridging the partisan divide.

Social movements in the United States are important political actors because of their scale and duration, their generation of new ideas and understandings of existing problems, their ability to mobilize those who were previously passive citizens, and the impetus they provide for restructuring and broadening the agenda of American politics. This volume combines chapters by a distinguished group of social movement scholars, from both sociology and political science, who use perspectives ranging from political process theory to rational choice and collective action approaches to evaluate the functioning of institutions of American government and the public policies that they produce. A diverse group of movements and interests are featured: women, public interest, native America, the environment, the Christian Right, abortion, gay rights, and homelessness among them.

Praise for the previous edition: "...a sound, comprehensive and clearly written exposition of American politics." -The Times Literary Supplement This introductory text has been thoroughly up-dated to take account of the considerable developments in American politics over the last ten years. The book provides students with: essential background and history of the American political system; an insight into the nature of American politics including the rise of multiculturalism and the influence of the media and religion; an accessible account of issues such as the two-party system and the nature of democracy in the USA; appendices containing the Constitution of the United States with highlighted amendments; chronologies of the US presidents; and other useful information.