Understanding American Politics provides a unique introduction to the contemporary political landscape of the United States.
Placing the study of American politics within a broader context of other western democracies, this textbook reinforces the idea that in order to understand the American system, students need to begin by understanding their own. This balanced, comparative perspective is integrated throughout to better explain and highlight the ways in which American politics and government work in relation to other democracies.
Streamlined to fit easily in today's US politics courses, the third edition is fully updated and revised to engage with key issues in American politics while providing an accessible entry to the foundations of American government that detangles the polarised analysis characterising so much information on the study of American politics. New chapters on special interest groups and the distinct American mediascape feature alongside up-to-date analysis on civil rights and inequalities incorporated in all chapters. Ultimately, this textbook enables non-American readers to understand the how and why of American politics by relating the subject to the experience and institutions of their own countries.
By:
Stephen Brooks,
Donald E. Abelson,
Melissa Haussman
Imprint: University of Toronto Press
Country of Publication: Canada
Edition: Third Edition
Dimensions:
Height: 235mm,
Width: 191mm,
Spine: 24mm
Weight: 620g
ISBN: 9781487542559
ISBN 10: 1487542550
Pages: 360
Publication Date: 01 March 2024
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
List of Maps List of Tables List of Boxes Preface Part One: Ideas and Foundations of US Government 1. The Contested Terrain of American Politics 2. Political Culture 3. The Constitution Part Two: Institutions 4. Congress 5. The Presidency 6. The Judiciary Part Three: Civil Rights and Inequality 7. Racial Inequality 8. The Politics of Inequality: Class, Immigration, Gender, and Sexual Identity Part Four: Political Behavior 9. Understanding Special Interests 10. Parties and Elections 11. The Mediascape and American Politics Part Five: America in the World 12. America in the World Index
Stephen Brooks is a professor of political science at the University of Windsor. Donald E. Abelson is director of the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, Steven K. Hudson Chair in Canada-US Relations, and professor of political science at St. Francis Xavier University. Melissa Haussman is a professor of political science at Carleton University.
Reviews for Understanding American Politics, Third Edition
"""Stephen Brooks, Donald E. Abelson, and Melissa Haussman have written a superb textbook about the American government. The updated version provides students with a comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date overview for understanding the workings of the American political system, including the key institutions, actors, and processes shaping decision making and outcomes."" - Zheger Hassan, Adjunct Professor of Political Science, University of Western Ontario ""The text is comprehensive and concise. Understanding American Politics covers every important aspect of American politics objectively but with a passion for its subject. The three experts have produced a volume worthy of any undergraduate course on US politics. It is well-timed to take account of the Trump presidency's impact on the politics and institutions of this fascinating polity."" - Paul Hamilton, Associate Professor of Political Science, Brock University"