The Basics of American Politics

by Wasserman, Gary

ISBN13:

9780321048356

ISBN10:

0321048350

Format:

Paperback

Pub. Date:

8/1/1999

Publisher(s):

Pearson College Div

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Summary

Using the metaphor of politics as a "game", this book provides students with a solic, "nuts-and-bolts" introduction to American government in a brief, accessible format.

Preface

What Is Politics?

(13)

The First Day of Class

(1)

Politics and Power

(3)

The Need for Government

(3)

The Study of Politics

(3)

What Is This Book About?

(1)

Thought Questions

(1)

Suggested Readings

(1)

The Constitution: Rules of the Game

(25)

The Second Day of Class

(1)

Background to the Constitution

(6)

Four Major Constitutional Principles

(7)

How Is the Constitution Changed?

(3)

Why Has the Constitution Survived?

(2)

Case Study: Federalism at 55 MPH

(2)

Wrap-Up

(1)

Thought Questions

(1)

Suggested Readings

(2)

The Executive Branch: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy

(35)

The President and the Constitution

(2)

History of the Presidency

(4)

Types of Presidents

(5)

Presidential Hats

(5)

The President and the Public

(1)

The Federal Bureaucracy

(7)

Problems of Bureaucracy

(4)

Case Study: An African Visit, a President's Message

(2)

Wrap-Up

(1)

Thought Questions

(1)

Suggested Readings

(2)

The Legislative Branch: Congress

(32)

Makeup of the Senate and House

(8)

How Congress Works

(13)

Other Powers of Congress

(3)

Case Study: The Balanced Budget Amendment

100

(2)

Wrap-Up

102

(2)

Thought Questions

104

(1)

Suggested Readings

104

(2)

The Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court and the Federal Court System

106

(23)

Federal Court System

107

(4)

United States Supreme Court

111

(7)

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Supreme Court

118

(4)

The Court as a Political Player

122

(1)

Case Study: Separate but Equal?

123

(4)

Wrap-Up

127

(1)

Thought Questions

127

(1)

Suggested Readings

128

(1)

Civil Rights and Liberties: Protecting the Players

129

(25)

What Are Civil Liberties and Rights?

130

(2)

Expanding the Bill of Rights

132

(1)

Civil Liberties: Protecting People from Government

133

(7)

Civil Rights: Protecting People from People

140

(4)

Actors in Civil Liberties and Rights

144

(5)

Case Study: Flag Burning and Flag Waving

149

(2)

Wrap-Up

151

(1)

Thought Questions

152

(1)

Suggested Readings

152

(2)

Voters and Political Parties

154

(30)

Voters

155

(3)

Who Doesn't Vote?

158

(5)

Political Parties

163

(6)

View from the Inside: Party Organizations

169

(8)

View from the Outside: The Two-Party System

177

(3)

Case Study: High-Tech Voting

180

(2)

Wrap-Up

182

(1)

Thought Questions

182

(1)

Suggested Readings

183

(1)

Interest Groups and the Media

184

(30)

Interest Groups

185

(10)

Media

195

(5)

Media and the Marketplace of Ideas

200

(8)

Case Study: The Candidate: A Day in the Life...

208

(3)

Wrap-Up

211

(1)

Thought Questions

211

(1)

Suggested Readings

212

(2)

Who Wins, Who Loses: Pluralism Versus Elitism

214

(10)

Pluralism

215

(3)

Elite

218

(2)

The Debate

220

(2)

Wrap-Up

222

(1)

Thought Questions

223

(1)

Suggested Readings

223

(1)

Appendix

224

(19)

The Declaration of Independence

224

(2)

The Constitution of the United States

226

(17)

Glossary

243

(8)

Index

251

The Basics of American Politics

9780321048356

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Summary

Table of Contents