Government by the People

by Burns, James MacGregor; Peltason, J. W.; Cronin, Thomas E.; Magleby, David B.

• ISBN13: 9780132871785
• ISBN10: 0132871785
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

Acclaimed for its superb writing style and comprehensive and balanced treatment of the American political system, this classic book has been thoroughly revised and updated to address the diverse and changing nature of American politics. Covers fundamental principles processes, and institutions that pertain to American government and politics at all levels.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES	1	(80)
1 Constitutional Democracy	1	(2)
2 The Living Constitution	25	(28)
The Constitution of the United States	45	(8)
3 American Federalism	53	(28)
PART TWO: RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES	81	(90)
4 First Amendment Rights	81	(32)
5 Equal Rights under the Law	113	(32)
6 Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property	145	(26)
PART THREE: THE POLITICAL PROCESS	171	(186)
7 Political Culture and Ideology	171	(28)
8 The American Political Landscape	199	(24)
9 Interest Groups: The Politics of Influence	223	(28)
10 Political Parties: Essential to Democracy	251	(28)
11 Public Opinion, Participation, and Voting	279	(24)
12 Campaigns and Elections: Democracy in Action	303	(30)
13 The Media and American Politics	333	(24)
PART FOUR: POLICY-MAKING INSTITUTIONS	357	(118)
14 Congress: The People's Branch	357	(32)
15 The Presidency: The Leadership Branch	389	(30)
16 The Judiciary: The Balancing Branch	419	(28)
17 The Bureaucracy: The Real Power?	447	(28)
PART FIVE: THE POLITICS OF NATIONAL POLICY	475	(106)
18 Making Economic Policy	475	(26)
19 Making Regulatory Policy	501	(24)
20 Making Social Policy	525	(30)
21 Making Foreign and Defense Policy	555	(26)
PART SIX: STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT	581
22 State and Local Politics: Who Governs?	581	(16)
23 State Constitutions: Charters or Straitjackets?	597	(14)
24 Parties and Elections in the States	611	(20)
25 State Legislatures	631	(22)
26 State Governors	653	(20)
27 Judges and Justice in the States	673	(20)
28 Local Governments and Metropolitics	693	(26)
29 Making State and Local Policy	719	(26)
30 Staffing and Financing State and Local Governments	745	(46)
31 Epilogue: The Democratic Faith	791
APPENDIX
The Declaration of Independence	A-1
The Federalist, No. 10	A-2
The Federalist, No. 51	A-5
The Federalist, No. 78	A-6
Presidential Election Results	A-9