Synopses & Reviews
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT is highly respected and trusted for its attention to research and issues of diversity as well as its award-winning team of authors. While covering the basic foundations and features of American Government, this text also moves beyond the nuts and bolts, to explain why and how important features of government have evolved, their impact on government and individuals, and why these features are controversial (if they are) and worth learning. More than just narrating facts and current issues, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT attempts to leave the students with an understanding of the "why", so their knowledge can be applied long after the course is completed. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT is a three-time winner of the American Government Textbook Award for the Best Treatment of Women in Politics, by the Women's Caucus for Political Science.
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"The chapter on Money and Politics is a great addition and should not be changed!"
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"This book has played an enormously important role in my teaching?. Understanding American Government is without a doubt the best text? on race, ethnicity and gender in American politics?. I think the book offers analysis that is not seen in other textbooks."
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"I have used quite a few different texts for American Government. I feel that your text reaches students and keeps them interested; there is a freshness and even at times an "edginess" that is suited to the college student."
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"Welch does an excellent job at the end of every chapter in helping students to clearly understand the ways in which the American political system is and is not responsive--and to whom it is and is not particularly responsive."
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"Welch is my pick because it is relatively clear and easy to read without being "dumbed down". It strikes a balance between modern pedagogy and old-fashioned intellectual rigor. It also avoids a sharply intrusive viewpoint without lapsing into the cold self-consciously "neutral" posture of books that are really just a bit conservative without saying so."
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"Welch provides a clear perspective throughout each chapter nicely summarized in the last section of each chapter, but leaves it up to the student to decide if that part of the political system or that policy reflects more of one kind of democracy than another'or little democracy at all. That is the beauty of Welch'"
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"I chose [this book] on the strength of its organizational approach, explanatory powers, and for its emphasis on critiquing the American system … It is the best researched book I have found and whether or not the students realize this, they certainly gain the benefit of that research chapter by chapter … It does not get caught up in unnecessary color, boxes, and pictures, charts, and other distractions."
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"I think the Welch book incorporates new political science research into the text better and explains its relevance better than other texts."
Synopsis
Written by authors who have won numerous awards for their research and writing on women and minority issues in American Government, this textbook offers an inclusive view of participants in the American political system. From this book, you will not only learn how government works but you will move on to the more controversial aspects of government, being exposed to actual people and experiences of government in action through the You Are There feature that opens each chapter, the suggested film lists at the ends the chapters, and the online exercises that support and enhance concepts found throughout the text.
About the Author
Susan Welch received her A.B. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Professor of Political Science at The Pennsylvania State University. Her teaching and research areas include legislatures, urban politics, and women and minorities in politics. At the 2002 APSA, she and her co-authors, Lee Sigelman, Timothy Bledsoe, and Michael Combs won the 2001 urban politics Best Book Award, for RACE AND PLACE: RACE RELATIONS IN AN AMERICAN CITY (Cambridge University Press, 2001).John Gruhl, a Professor of Political Science, received his A.B. from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Since joining the University of Nebraska faculty in 1976, he has taught and done research in the areas of judicial process, criminal justice, and civil rights and liberties. He has campus- and university-wide distinguished teaching awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching and became a charter member of the university's Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 1995.John Comer is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska. He received his A.B. in political science from Miami University of Ohio in 1965 and his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in 1971. His teaching and research focus on interest groups, public opinion, voting behavior, and political parties.Susan M. Rigdon received A.B. and Ph.D. degrees in political science from the University of Illinois in 1966 and 1971. While focusing her teaching in Comparative Politics and IR, she has taught American Government courses at several institutions in the United States and China. Her research interests include culture and politics, security policy, and poverty and development. She is a Research Associate in Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Table of Contents
Part One: THE AMERICAN SYSTEM. 1. American People. 2. The Constitution. 3. Federalism and the Growth of Government. Part Two: LINKS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT. 4. Public Opinion. 5. News Media. 6. Interest Groups. 7. Political Parties. 8. Elections. 9. Money and Politics. Part Three: INSTITUTIONS. 10. Congress. 11. The Presidency. 12. The Bureaucracy. 13. The Judiciary. Part Four: CIVIL LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS. 14. Civil Liberties. 15. Civil Rights. Part Five: PUBLIC POLICIES. 16. Economic Policy. 17. Social Welfare and Health Policy. 18. Regulation and Environmental Policy. 19. Foreign Policy. Notes. Appendix A: The Declaration of Independence. Appendix B: The Constitution of the United States of America. Appendix C: Federalist Paper 10. Appendix D: Federalist Paper 51. Glossary. Index.