Analyzing American Democracy

Jon R. Bond received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently a professor of political science at Texas A&M University. His research analyzes the policy making process and the operation of democracy in American politics. Specifically, he is interested in the interactions of American political institutions, especially Congress and the presidency, and how electoral motivations affect democratic responsiveness in American political institutions. He has published in major general and specialty political science journals including the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, American Politics Research, Legislative Studies Quarterly, and Presidential Studies Quarterly. He was an APSA Congressional Fellow in 1987–1988, working on the staffs of Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas and Representative Norman Mineta of California. He was co-editor of the Journal of Politics from 1993–1997, and served as president of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society from 2006–2008, and president of the Southern Political Science Association, the oldest regional political science association from 2006–2007. Lydia M. Andrade received her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and is department chair and professor of political science at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. She is an award-winning teacher and author of a variety of teaching and learning guides including supplements for this text. She participates regularly in summer workshops with The College Board and is known for her work on the presidency, foreign policy, women and politics, and teacher diversity. José D. Villalobos received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and is department chair and professor of political science and public administration as well as a distinguished teaching professor at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He has garnered numerous recognitions for his teaching and research, including the University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award and the American Political Science Association’s Best Book Award. His research examines institutional leadership, public opinion and behavior dynamics, and policymaking. His publications include articles in The Journal of Politics, Political Psychology, Politics & Gender, and Presidential Studies Quarterly, and he is co-author of Seeing Us in Them: Social Divisions and the Politics of Group Empathy (Cambridge University Press).

Praise for Analyzing American Democracy"From its focus on the principles of democracy to the actual practice of democracy in the United States, this introductory text provides university students with the necessary tools to critically analyze American politics. The authors effectively apply political science research in a way that is fresh and accessible to students and do so in a way that will make students think well beyond their preconceptions about politics. The chapter on elections is the most thorough and engaging treatment of presidential elections." you will find in an introductory American politics textbook.Jeffrey S. Peake, Clemson University"Analyzing American Democracy is one of the best American government books on the market. Not only is it comprehensive in covering material across the vast spectrum of American politics, but it also has an interesting point of view: the idea that our expectations of government and its performance may not be entirely realistic. The authors have written a book that is accessible to undergraduate students, yet provides sufficient detail for professors to examine the nuances of American politics today."Richard W. Waterman, University of Kentucky"No text does a better job of integrating modern political science with a thoroughly up-to-date introduction to American government. Most of my students have already been exposed to an AP-style high school American government survey, and a text that is clearly more science than civics is exactly what they need at the college level. On top of that the writing has the wit, snap, and drive that keeps students reading and thinking in spite of themselves."John R. Alford, Rice University"Teaching a broad survey course that covers the breadth of American politics can be a daunting task for both instructors and students. This text organizes what could be an overwhelming amount of information into a logical structure coupled with a straightforward, journalistic writing style that incorporates cutting-edge political science research with key political concepts. The result is a textbook that is truly an introduction to political science, not just civics or popular politics."Amanda Friesen, Indiana University–Purdue University at Indianapolis"Analyzing American Democracy provides the most comprehensive and nuanced treatment of American political institutions and behavior to date. By drawing upon the most recent political science literature, the text encourages students to see American politics through a theoretical lens, and promotes a more generalized understanding of political concepts that transcend time and space. With stimulating real-world examples of the trade-offs, paradoxes, and competing ethical perspectives that are negotiated in a modern representative democracy, students become conversant and critically engaged in the challenges confronting the country, and thus, become better citizens."Sarah A. Fulton, Texas A&M University

• 1. Basics of Democracy PART I: THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 2. The American Constitution 3. Federalism 4. Civil Liberties 5. Civil Rights PART II : CONNECTING CITIZENS TO GOVERNMENT 6. Interest Groups 7. Political Parties 8. The Mass Media and Politics 9. Public Opinion and Political Socialization 10. Elections 11. Political Participation and Voting Behavior PART III: OFFICIAL DECISION MAKING 12. Congress 13. The Presidency 14. The Bureaucracy 15. The Federal Judiciary PART IV: CONCLUSION 16. Core Democratic Principles and Public Policy