Understanding American government and politics Third edition

by Watts, Duncan

• ISBN13: 9780719086830
• ISBN10: 0719086833
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-13
• Publisher: Manchester University Press

Summary

This eagerly-anticipated third edition builds on the established reputation of the Understandingseries. It provides an accessible and intelligible text without compromising its high academic standards. Devices designed to help students study and revise effectively are used throughout, including useful tables and boxes; clear definitions of key terms; and helpful introductory and concluding sections in each chapter. The third edition has been thoroughly updated to include such topics as the findings of the 2010 Census; the outcomes of the 2008 presidential election and the 2010 mid-term elections; the role of the states in American federalism; reflections on the Bush presidency; the controversy over Health Care reform; and the rise of the Tea Party Movement. This is an ideal book for use by undergraduate professors and students of American politics as it is closely geared to the requirements of the syllabuses laid down by the main examination boards. It is also deservedly popular with students pursuing introductory courses on the US political system in Higher Education.

Author Biography

Duncan Watts was for many years a teacher and examiner of Politics, before becoming Editor of the Politics Association Resource Centre. In recent years he has written extensively on the US political scene, as well as editing the Understanding series.

Table of Contents

List of comparative boxes: Britain and the United States* List of US presidents and their parties * Map of the US: The Sun Belt and the Frost Belt * Introduction: The setting of American politics * The Constitution * Federalism in theory and practice * Presidential power * Support for the Presidency * Congress * The Supreme Court * Elections and voting * Political parties * Pressure groups: The lobby at work Civil liberties and civil rights *  Conclusion: The condition of American democracy *  Index