Acclaimed for the scholarship of its prominent authors and the clarity of its narrative,American Governmentsets the standard for public policy coverage while maintaining focus on three fundamental topics: the institutions of American government; the historical development of governmental procedures, actors, and policies; and who governs in the US and to what end. TheEssentialsversion maintains the structure of the main text but replaces the policy chapters with one brief chapter on the policymaking process. This thoroughly updated edition reflects both foreign and domestic events that currently affect US politics--including a discussion of the effects of 9/11 on American foreign policy and national security--combined with the latest scholarship in the field. Coverage of the most recent domestic issues includes the 2004 term Congressional elections, the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act, and the George W. Bush presidency. Enhanced coverage of the process of government, such as the workings of Congress and the implementation of law. To augment the chapter summary and help students synthesize and think critically about what they learn,Revisiting the Enduring Questionsappear at the end of each chapter as mini-essays and expand on the classic questions about democracy posed at the beginning of the chapter. Suggested web links help students research US politics.