For the Introduction to American Government or Introduction to American Politics courses. This is the most authoritative text for American Government. Always one step ahead of the competition Government by the People, Brief Edition continues to set the standards for American Government texts by anticipating instructors' needs. Known for its impeccable scholarship and for its distinguished author team, who treats each new edition as a fresh challenge, Government by the People, Brief Edition is the perfect text for the educator who wants students to understand how the American political system works.