The Basics of American Politics

by Wasserman, Gary

• ISBN13: 9780321048356
• ISBN10: 0321048350
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-08-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

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.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
What Is Politics?	1	(13)
The First Day of Class	2	(1)
Politics and Power	2	(3)
The Need for Government	5	(3)
The Study of Politics	8	(3)
What Is This Book About?	11	(1)
Thought Questions	12	(1)
Suggested Readings	13	(1)
The Constitution: Rules of the Game	14	(25)
The Second Day of Class	15	(1)
Background to the Constitution	16	(6)
Four Major Constitutional Principles	22	(7)
How Is the Constitution Changed?	29	(3)
Why Has the Constitution Survived?	32	(2)
Case Study: Federalism at 55 MPH	34	(2)
Wrap-Up	36	(1)
Thought Questions	37	(1)
Suggested Readings	37	(2)
The Executive Branch: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy	39	(35)
The President and the Constitution	41	(2)
History of the Presidency	43	(4)
Types of Presidents	47	(5)
Presidential Hats	52	(5)
The President and the Public	57	(1)
The Federal Bureaucracy	58	(7)
Problems of Bureaucracy	65	(4)
Case Study: An African Visit, a President's Message	69	(2)
Wrap-Up	71	(1)
Thought Questions	72	(1)
Suggested Readings	72	(2)
The Legislative Branch: Congress	74	(32)
Makeup of the Senate and House	76	(8)
How Congress Works	84	(13)
Other Powers of Congress	97	(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