25 Issues that Shape American Politics

Michael Kryzanek is Emeritus Professor of Political Science and Special Assistant to the President of Bridgewater State University. He is the author of books on American politics, US foreign policy, and Latin American politics. Dr. Kryzanek received his undergraduate degree from Marquette University and his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. While on the faculty, he received awards for teaching and research, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ann K. Karreth is Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations at Ursinus College. Dr. Karreth’s primary research interest is in African democracy and international development. She has published articles in numerous journals and book chapters. She teaches courses in comparative politics, research methods, public policy and American foreign policy. Dr. Karreth received her undergraduate degree from Boston College and her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.

Praise for the Second Editionin an era of "fake news" and "alternative facts," students are ever more in need of balanced and empirically sound explorations of the many major issues confronting the United States. This book delivers exactly that. Our national agenda is crowded; this book helps students soundly examine it.Steven E. Schier, Carleton CollegeIn this innovative and timely book, Michael Kryzanek and Ann Karreth give readers a fresh perspective on key issues in American politics, covering everything from national security and terrorism to health care and gun rights. The authors bring each topic to life with highly informative discussions that supplement the standard approach to American politics. This book is sure to be a valuable addition to introductory and advanced undergraduate courses.Michael Parkin, Oberlin CollegeThis book provides an excellent survey of the range of issues structuring political debate in the contemporary American polity. Considering all sorts of questions – domestic and international, economic and cultural – Michael Kryzanek and Ann Karreth expertly summarize the key arguments on all sides of these important debates, with an admirable sense of fairness and balance. In addition, the pedagogical tools provided and referred resources in each chapter will be very helpful for students who want to dig deeper in their own explorations of these complex topics.Matthew Wilson, Southern Methodist UniversityMichael Kryzanek and Ann Karreth’s well-organized and accessible text substantively navigates contemporary issues and provides students and scholars with deeper insight into the crucial divisions that characterize and animate American political life.Jay Steinmetz, University of Oregon

• IntroductionChapter 1 – Terrorism and Homeland SecurityChapter 2 – The Middle Class and the American DreamChapter 3 – Global Warming and Climate ChangeChapter 4 – Health Care and Health Care ReformChapter 5 – Immigration and Immigration PoliticsChapter 6 – Taxing and SpendingChapter 7 – Social Security and MedicareChapter 8 – Race Relations and Racial PoliticsChapter 9 – Reforming EducationChapter 10 – Abortion RightsChapter 11 – Gun RightsChapter 12 – Gay RightsChapter 13 –Capital PunishmentChapter 14 – Money and PoliticsChapter 15 – Religion and PoliticsChapter 16 –Science and PoliticsChapter 17 – The Drug WarChapter 18 – Energy and Energy Conservation Chapter 19 – Poverty, Inequality and Social WelfareChapter 20 – National DefenseChapter 21 – ChinaChapter 22 – IranChapter 23 – RussiaChapter 24 – Conflicts in the Middle EastChapter 25 – Globalization and TradeConclusion