Synopses & Reviews
This concise yet comprehensive book provides a positive, lively, future-oriented narrative introduction to American government and politics. We the People presents material with a currency and relevancy that captures the vivid world of real-life politics. In addition, the text challenges readers to think critically; by giving contextual understanding of major concepts and issues, it encourages them to think about the implications for society and themselves. We the People delves deeper into the basics than most brief books, and each of the 17 chapters (including 3 policy chapters) concludes with a reading selection (each from a different paper around the country) and an extensive bibliography. The seventh edition has been thoroughly updated to capture recent developments, including the 2006 elections.
Table of Contents
1. American Political Culture: Seeking a More Perfect Union
2. Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government
3. Federalism: Forging a Nation
4. Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights
5. Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness
6. Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the Peoples Voice
7. Political Participation and Voting: Expressing the Popular Will
8. Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voters Choice
9. Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence
10. The News media: Communicating Political Images
11. Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests
12. The Presidency: Leading the Nation
13. The Federal Bureaucracy; Administering the Government
14. The Judiciary: Applying the Law
15. Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity
16. Welfare and Education Policy; Providing for Personal Security and Need
17. Foreign and Defense Policy: Protecting the American Way