This new edition of the bestselling The Logic of American Politics is thoroughly updated and covers the dramatic 2016 election results with a thorough analysis of those results. It arms students with a revised introduction to institutional design that makes concepts such as command, veto, agenda control, voting rules, and delegation easier for students to master and apply, so they clearly see how the American political system was devised and why it works the way it does. Authors Samuel Kernell, Gary C. Jacobson, Thad Kousser, and Lynn Vavreck build students' critical thinking through a simple yet powerful idea: politics is about solving collective action problems. This new edition continues to delve into partisan differences among voters and in government and highlight the increasingly partisan nature of campaigns. By exploring issues such as the Affordable Care Act’s troubled implementation, the increasing legalization of marijuana and same-sex marriage in the states, and the debate over immigration, the book illustrates how the institutional structures of government, federalism, and even campaigns can help voters make sense of their choices. The concluding chapter on policymaking examines the noticeable logic that guides American policy, as shown through issues like health care reform, global climate change, and the federal budget. Students glean insights into the sources of policy problems, identify possible solutions, and realize why agreement on those solutions is often so hard to achieve.

Combining timeless readings with cutting-edge articles and essays, Principles and Practice of American Politics, Seventh Edition, enriches your understanding of the American political system by examining the strategic behavior of key players in U.S. politics. This collection of classic and contemporary readings brings concepts to life by providing you with real examples of how political actors are influenced by the strategies of others and are governed by the Constitution, the law, and institutional rules. Carefully edited by award-winning authors Samuel Kernell and Steven S. Smith, each reading is put into context to help you understand how political actions fall within a major national political forum. New to the Seventh Edition Nine new and updated essays encourage you to reflect on the continuing debates over the polarization of the American electorate and Congress, the role of social media and “fake news” in influencing public views of politicians and issues, the fragile Trump coalition, the efficacy of polling in tracking public opinion, and other issues more relevant than ever in the wake of the 2016 elections. Additional essays challenge you to think more carefully about alternative institutions and political arrangements. The new essays present institutions of majority rule, the nature of racial discrimination, and the proper role of the court as less settled issues that provide students an opportunity to think through (and discuss) their views on the future direction of American civic life. Each selection is artfully framed by Kernell and Smith’s contextual headnotes to make them appropriate for classroom use. Original readings written specifically for the volume give the book a coherent treatment of the performance of U.S. political institutions.

The Logic of American Politics, 5th editionThe American people&BAD:—and their government&BAD:—are deeply at odds over how best to overcome the obstacles currently facing the country. After observing the strains of intense partisanship and divided government, your students are probably asking what logic, if any, can be found in politics. The new fifth edition of Logic reaffirms this best-seller&BAD:’s place as the most accessible &BAD:“smart&BAD:” book on the market. Weaving together historical context, current politics, and analytic concepts, Logic builds students&BAD:’ understanding of political institutions and practices as imperfect solutions to collective action problems.Consistently praised for its engaging narrative, Logic hooks students with great storytelling while arming them with a &BAD:“toolkit&BAD:” of institutional design concepts&BAD:—command, veto, agenda control, voting rules, delegation.Walking students through examples of how each concept works, the authors also highlight passages that apply collective action themes so students cannot miss key points.Up-to-date in its coverage of such hot-button issues as health care and financial reform, the midterm elections, and racial profiling and immigration, this fifth edition also pays special attention to political polarization. Throughout the book, the authors consistently return to the country&BAD:’s divide&BAD:—among constituents and in government&BAD:—as they guide students through the fundamentals of American politics.More than 100 tables, figures, and maps offer visual context to an array of political data and analysis, while over 230 carefully chosen photographs enhance the book&BAD:’s examples and insights. Bolded key terms, a glossary, annotated reading lists, review questions, and a companion website help students read, think, and study.For more information about Logic, click here. Lone Star Politics, 2nd editionLone Star PoLitics pays homage to the legendary political history of Texas while exploring how myth clashes with the reality of the state&BAD:’s day-to-day governance. How has Texas developed and flourished, but also failed to respond fully to new challenges? Explaining who gets what and how within the state, this Nogadoches author team provides an engaging narrative on the evolution of Texas politics, setting it in context with other states&BAD:’ constitutions, policymaking, electoral practices, and school systems. Updated to cover recent events, the second edition includes new discussion and expanded coverage of: ★ the results of the 2010 gubernatorial elections; ★ the impact of the Great Recession on Texas; ★ the legislative process and the organization of the legislature; ★ the &BAD:“Texas two-step;&BAD:” ★ state education policy; ★ the controversial reauthorization of the Texas Department of Transportation; and ★ the effect of recent court cases.Highly regarded &BAD:“Texas vs. ______&BAD:” boxes (which compare Texas to other states) and &BAD:“Texas Legends&BAD:” boxes (which showcase figures and institutions that have shaped&BAD:—and continue to influence&BAD:—Texas politics) have been enhanced in every chapter. Concise and a great value, Lone Star Politics provides well-crafted content and numerous tables, figures, maps, and photos at an affordable cost.For more information about Lone Star Politics, click here.

Conveying how the American political system is both extraordinary and complex, the authors explain in a simple and straightforward way that there is a rationale embedded in the U.S. political system. This underlying logic helps students see why political institutions are structured the way they are, and why the politicians who occupy them, and the citizens who monitor and respond to their actions, behave as they do. Kernell and Jacobson analyze political institutions and practices as imperfect solutions to problems facing people who need to act collectively. Throughout the text, the authors highlight these collective action problems, including the conflict over values and interests and the costs associated with finding and agreeing on a course of action. They describe how the choices made to resolve problems at one moment affect politics in the future, long after the original issues have faded. They emphasize the strategic nature of political action, from the Framers' careful drafting of the Constitution to contemporary politicians' strategic efforts to shape policy according to their own preferences.