Governing America: The Politics of a Divided Democracy

Governing America covers the foundations of modern American politics, the structure of American governing institutions, domestic and foreign public policies and a series of contemporary controversies. An innovative edited textbook, designed for first-time students of American politics, this volume offers an accessible and comprehensive examination of American politics both before and after September 11. * Covers the US political system as well as topical issues that will interest students, such as capital punishment, gun control, abortion, and gay rights * Covers all the elements of a US politics course in an accessible and thorough way * Tightly edited by international experts, producing an integrated and fully coherent volume * Innovative learning aids throughout, including 'Definition' boxes, 'Constitutional Influences' boxes, 'Core Academic Debates' boxes, 'Is America Different?' boxes, a guide to further reading, and web links * Incorporates the impact of September 11 on all areas of US domestic and foreign policy, as well as including an excellent summary chapter, putting September 11 into contextContents:Robert Singh: Introduction Part I Historical and Theoretical Context 1 Michael Cox: America and the World Part II Institutions and Intermediary Organizations 3 Richard Hodder-Williams: The US Constitution 4 John G. Francis: Federalism 5 Robert Mason: Political Parties and the Party System 6 Candice Nelson: Elections 7 Pete Lentini: Mass Media 8 Richard Hodder-Williams: Federal Judiciary 9 John Hart: The Presidency 10 John E. Owens: Congress 11 Mark Carl Rom: Federal Bureaucracy 12 Burdett Loomis: Interest Groups Part III Public Policy 13 Nigel Bowles: Economic Policy 14 John Dumbrell: Foreign Policy 15 Stephen Burman: Foreign Economic Policy 16 Elizabeth Bomberg: Environmental Policy 17 Fiona Ross: Social Policy Part IV Issues and Controversies 18 Martin Durham: Abortion 19 Robert Singh: Gun Control 20 Robert Singh: Capital Punishment 21 Vivien Hart: Gender 22 Steve Bruce: Religion 23 Don Haider-Markel: Gay Rights 24 Eric Kaufmann: Race and Multiculturalism 25 Michael Cox: American Power before and after September 11Index