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Political Science

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The Basics of American Politics, 12/E
Gary Wasserman, Johns Hopkins University

ISBN-10: 0321317955
ISBN-13: 9780321317957

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2006
Format: Paper; 320 pp
Status: Out of Print

Suggested retail price: $57.80
This item is out of print and is no longer available for purchase.

This brief, straight-forward introduction to American government has been a long-time student favorite because of its lively and no-nonsense approach to the basics and its continued inexpensive price.

Using a dynamic game metaphor, the text covers four governmental and four nongovernmental “players,” as well as the constitutional and civil liberties “rules of the game.”   It begins by defining politics and finding it in an unusual place—the classroom. It ends by examining rival theories of who wins and who loses in American politics. Written to engage students and lay a flexible foundation for instructors, The Basics of American Politics covers all the needed terms and topics behind the current news.

  • The extreme brevity and inexpensive price of this book makes it an excellent choice for instructors who want to use other material—articles, readers, novels—in their course, but also ensure that the class ‘gets’ the basics.
  • Completely updated through Election 2004 and its aftermath, the heated partisan divisions both here and abroad, a new case study on Howard Dean’s innovative use of the Internet, the use and avoidance of the new campaign reform law, the rise of big money and 527 groups, the role of late-night TV comics, and the impact of the elections on the presidency, congress and the political parties.
  • Fresh accounts of national security issues since September 11, 2001 focusing on the presidency, congress and media.   National security issues are reflected in conflicting media images of the war in Iraq, a Marine’s view of embedded reporters, the White House spin on damaging intelligence revelations and Congress’s dependence on the executive in wartime.
  • Civil Liberties and Terrorism bring to life the continuing tension within the government and public opinion on the proper balance between prosecuting terrorism and protecting liberties.   A case study looks at the courts guarding these liberties in terrorist cases, and Congress’s debate over the Patriot Act.
  • Boxed stories present engaging anecdotes and promote critical thinking—including President Bush’s Unconservative Approach to Federalism; The Revival of Affirmative Action in the University of Michigan Case; The Presidential Leadership Style on Iraq; Nasty Behavior on the Hill; Redistricting: the Incumbent Protection Racket; and Free Speech Bake Sales on Campus.
  • More emphasis on lobbying: The text looks closely at the impact of lobbyists and the debate over their influence. It traces the rise in power of this much publicized actor in our political system, and the continuing importance of money in campaigning.
  • Analyses of the Rehnquist Court. The text now discusses the current writings on the modern court as a guardian of federalism, involvement in affirmative action and its vigorous assertion of judicial supremacy.
  • “Case Studies” in each chapter allow students to apply concepts to real-life scenarios and enhance their understanding of material.
  • “Thought Questions” and “Suggested Readings” at the end of every chapter aid discussion and promote further interest in the topics discussed.
  • TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE—Free access to LongmanParticipate.com Version 3.0. LongmanParticipate.com 3.0, the most interactive and comprehensive Web site available for American government, gets students experiencing what they only read about in their textbook. The site offers five types of highly interactive, in-depth activities for every chapter in the textbook: Simulations (now over 30 simulations in all!), Visual Literacy, Timelines, Participation, and Comparative. All activities are accompanied by detailed feedback and scoring so students know how they are doing, and there are pre-and post-tests for each chapter so students can gauge their progress. Go to www.longmanparticipate.com to explore a demo of the site!

  • An increased focus on the presidency: the centralizing of power in the chief executive and the role of national security in this trend; the president’s unusual approach in deciding and implementing his invasion of Iraq; and the use of political spin in handling uncomfortable revelations by the 9/11 Commission.    Once again, organizing discrete news into an overall trend helping students understand the ‘bigger picture.’
  • A new case study: Blogs, Howard Dean and the 2004 Campaign discusses the impact of the Internet on presidential elections and how it may radically change how we choose political leaders. Students can be expected to relate to how their online world is drastically altering America’s political world.
  • A thoroughly revised case study, Fighting Terrorism, Guarding Liberties focuses on an American born terrorist who the Supreme Court declared should have the right to a Court review of Administration charges; allows students a peek behind the scenes of judicial action.
  • New boxes on the Patriot Act and privacy; affirmative action in universities; and on conservative free speech bake sales on campus illustrate to students the relevance of civil rights and liberties in their lives.
  • The 2004 Elections in all their conflicted splendor—from White House spins, presidential debates and national party conventions to John Kerry’s vice presidential pick, the rise of 527 groups channeling big money back into campaigns, and the role of late-night TV comics.   All designed to give students a deeper look at the daily news.

 

1. What Is Politics?

2. The Constitution: Rules of the Game.

3. The Executive Branch: The Presidency and Bureaucracy.

4. The Legislative Branch: Congress.

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

6. Civil Rights and Liberties: Protecting the Players.

7. Voters and Political Parties.

8. Interest Groups and the Media.

9. Who Wins, Who Loses: Pluralism versus Elitism.

    This brief, nuts-and-bolts introduction to American government has been a student favorite and a bestseller for over 30 years because of its lively, straight-forward approach to the basics, its brevity, and its always inexpensive price.

     

    This text uses a dynamic game metaphor to engage students in the basics of the American political system and the contact sport of politics.  Beginning with a clear definition of politics, it introduces four governmental and four nongovernmental “players” who must abide by the “rules of the game” established by the Constitution and civil liberties.  It ends by examining rival theories of who wins and who loses in American politics.  Written to engage students, and kept short to provide a flexible foundation for instructors, The Basics of American Politics covers all the terms and topics a student will need to understand the nuts-and-bolts of American government and poltics.

  • 0321489160The Basics of American Politics, 13/E
    Wasserman
    © 2008 | Longman | Paper; 320 pages | Instock
    ISBN-10: 0321489160 | ISBN-13: 9780321489166
    Brief Description | Buy from myPearsonStore

For American Government


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