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Understanding American Government

ISBN: 9780534647490 | 0534647499
Edition: 8th
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Pub. Date: 3/10/2005

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SummaryTable of Contents
UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN GOVERNMENT is highly respected and trusted for its attention to research and issues of diversity as well as its award-winning team of authors. While covering the basic foundations and features of American Government, this text also moves beyond the nuts and bolts, to explain why and how important features of government have evolved, their impact on government and individuals, and why these features are controversial (if they are) and worth learning. More than just narrating facts and current issues, UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN... MORE
Prefacexiii
PART ONE The American System
The American People
2(26)
... MORE
You Are There Who, Me?
3(3)
A Demographic Profile
6(2)
Immigration and Ethnic Diversity
6(2)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Immigration: Is the Door Still Open?
8(6)
Immigration and Political Cleavage
10(1)
Religious Diversity
10(1)
Economic and Demographic Diversity
11(1)
Diversity and Identity Politics
12(2)
American Diversity
Census and Sensibility
14(2)
Political Culture
16(1)
The Significance of Political Culture
16(1)
Learning Political Culture
16(1)
The Core Values
17(3)
Individual Liberty
18(1)
Political Equality
18(1)
Majority Rule
19(1)
Minority Rights
19(1)
Economic Rights
19(1)
The American Citizen
20(4)
Democracy in a Republic
20(1)
Political Participation
20(3)
Who Has the Power?
23(1)
Conclusion: Is Government Responsive?
24(1)
Epilogue Who, Me?
25(3)
Key Terms
26(1)
Further Reading
26(1)
For Viewing
26(1)
Electronic Resources
27(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
27(1)
American Government Resources
27(1)
The Constitution
28(30)
You are There The Case of the Confidential Tapes
29(2)
The Articles of Confederation
31(2)
National Government Problems
31(1)
State Government Problems
32(1)
American Diversity
Founding Mothers
33(1)
The Constitution
33(13)
The Constitutional Convention
33(3)
Features of the Constitution
36(5)
Motives of the Founders
41(2)
Ratification of the Constitution
43(2)
Changing the Constitution
45(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Interrogating Terrorists
46(2)
Impact of the Civil War and the Great Depression
48(5)
The Civil War and Reconstruction
48(3)
The Great Depression and the New Deal
51(2)
A Combination of Constitutions
53(1)
Conclusion: Does the Constitution Make the Government Responsive?
53(2)
Epilogue The President Complies in the Case of the Confidential Tapes
55(3)
Key Terms
57(1)
Further Reading
57(1)
For Viewing
57(1)
Electronic Resources
57(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
57(1)
American Government Resources
57(1)
Federalism and the Growth of Government
58(30)
You Are There Should Nevada Become the Country's Nuclear Waste Dump?
59(2)
Federal and Unitary Systems
61(1)
Federal Systems
61(1)
Unitary Systems
62(1)
Why Choose Federalism?
62(1)
The Political Bases of American Federalism
62(3)
Political Benefits of Federalism
63(1)
Political Costs of Federalism
63(1)
Political Culture and Federalism
64(1)
The Constitutional Bases of Federalism
65(3)
Major Features of American Federalism
65(1)
Interpretations of the Constitutional Provisions
66(2)
Federalism and the Growth of Government
68(9)
Small-Scale Government
68(1)
The Civil War
68(1)
Government as a ``Bully Pulpit''
68(1)
The New Deal and World War II
69(2)
Social Justice and the Great Society
71(1)
New Federalism
71(1)
The New New Federalism
72(1)
A Return to State-Centered Federalism?
72(5)
The Practice of Federalism
77(1)
Federal-State Relations
77(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
The State's Role in National Defense
78(5)
Interstate Relations
81(1)
State-Local Relations
82(1)
People, States, and the Federal Government
83(1)
Conclusion: Does Federalism Make Government More Responsive?
84(1)
Epilogue Nevada Continues to Fight
85(3)
Key Terms
86(1)
Further Reading
86(1)
For Viewing
86(1)
Electronic Resources
86(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
87(1)
American Government Resources
87(1)
PART TWO Links between People and Government
Public Opinion
88(30)
You Are There How Can the President Maintain Popularity and Help Republican Candidates?
89(1)
Nature of Public Opinion
90(1)
Formation of Public Opinion
91(6)
Agents of Political Socialization
93(3)
Impact of Political Socialization
96(1)
Measuring Public Opinion
97(1)
Early Polling Efforts
97(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
9/11 Shapes Public Opinion, But Only for a While
98(7)
Emergence of Scientific Polling
98(1)
Polls and Politics
99(5)
Knowledge and Information
104(1)
Popular Culture and Politics
Politics as a Joke
105(1)
Ideology
106(9)
Social Welfare and the Proper Role of Government
108(1)
Social Issues
109(1)
Race
109(3)
Political Tolerance
112(1)
Trust in Government
113(2)
Conclusion: Is Government Responsive to Public Opinion?
115(1)
Epilogue President Bush Ties the Economy to the War on Terrorism
116(2)
Key Terms
117(1)
Further Reading
117(1)
For Viewing
117(1)
Electronic Resources
117(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
117(1)
American Government Resources
117(1)
News Media
118(42)
You Are There Should You Torpedo the Admiral?
119(1)
The Media State
120(7)
Roles of the Media
121(1)
Concentration of the Media
122(2)
Atomization of the Media
124(3)
Relationship between the Media and Politicians
127(11)
Symbiotic Relationship
127(4)
Adversarial Relationship
131(2)
Relationship between the Media and Recent Administrations
133(3)
Relationship between the Media and Congress
136(1)
Relationship between the Media and the Supreme Court
136(1)
Relationship between the Media and the Military
136(2)
Bias of the Media
138(8)
Political Bias
138(7)
Commercial Bias
145(1)
American Diversity
Color and the Clicker
146(4)
Impact of the Media on Politics
150(4)
Impact on the Public Agenda
150(1)
Impact on Political Parties and Elections
151(2)
Impact on Public Opinion
153(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
The CNN of the Middle East
154(2)
Conclusion: Are the Media Responsive?
156(2)
Epilogue Evans Pursued the Admiral
158(2)
Key Terms
159(1)
Further Reading
159(1)
For Viewing
159(1)
Electronic Resources
159(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
159(1)
American Government Resources
159(1)
Interest Groups
160(38)
You Are There Do You Support the Bush Prescription Drug Proposal?
161(2)
Group Formation
163(2)
Why Interest Groups Form
163(1)
Why People Join
164(1)
Which People Join
165
Have Americans Stopped Joining?
163(2)
Types of Interest Groups
165(5)
Private Interest Groups
166(4)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Feeding Frenzy
170(5)
Public Interest Groups
172(3)
American Diversity
The Origin of Gay and Lesbian Rights Groups
175(5)
Strategies of Interest Groups
180(1)
Tactics of Interest Groups
180(3)
Direct Lobbying Techniques
181(2)
Popular Culture and Politics
Celebrities and Interest Groups
183(8)
Indirect Lobbying Techniques: Going Public
185(4)
Building Coalitions
189(2)
Success of Interest Groups
191(2)
Resources
191(1)
Competition and Goals
192(1)
Conclusion: Do Interest Groups Help Make Government Responsive?
193(2)
Epilogue AAPR Backs the Bush Administration's Drug Plan for Seniors
195(3)
Key Terms
196(1)
Further Reading
196(1)
For Viewing
196(1)
Electronic Resources
196(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
197(1)
American Government Resources
197(1)
Political Parties
198(36)
You Are There Should You Violate the Rules of Congress to Win a Partisan Victory?
199(2)
Characteristics of Political Parties
201(5)
Purpose of Political Parties
201(1)
The American Party System
202(4)
The Rise of American Political Parties
206(2)
The Founders and Political Parties
206(1)
Birth of Political Parties
206(1)
Development of Mass Parties
206(1)
Why Parties Are Important to American Democracy
207(1)
Party Realignments
208(10)
Rise of the Republicans and the Golden Age of Parties
209(1)
Progressive Politics and the Weakening of Parties
210(2)
Rise of the Democratic Party
212(1)
Party Identification Today
213(5)
Decline of Parties
218(2)
Dimunition of Party Functions
218(1)
Erosion of Support for Parties
219(1)
Resurgence of Parties
220(2)
Important Remaining Functions of Parties
220(1)
Party Influence on Policymaking
221(1)
Party Organization
222(1)
National Party Organization
222(1)
State and Local Party Organizations
223(1)
Parties and Voting
223(1)
Party Identification
223(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Bipartisanship for a While
224(3)
Popular Culture and Politics
Parties on the Web
227(2)
Candidate Evaluations
228(1)
Issues
228(1)
Parties, Candidates, and Issues
229(1)
Conclusion: Do Political Parties Make Government More Responsive?
229(2)
Epilogue Hastert Breaks the Rules and Wins the Vote
231(3)
Key Terms
232(1)
Further Reading
232(1)
For Viewing
232(1)
Electronic Resources
232(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
233(1)
American Government Resource
233(1)
Elections
234(50)
You Are There Should You Go to Iowa?
235(2)
The American Electorate
237(3)
Early Limits on Voting Rights
237(1)
Blacks and the Right to Vote
237(2)
The Voting Rights Act and Redistricting
239(1)
American Diversity
Blacks and Hispanics in Office
240(6)
Women and the Right to Vote
242(1)
Young People and the Right to Vote
243(1)
Felons and the Right to Vote
243(1)
Election Reform and New Threats to Voting Rights
243(3)
Voter Turnout
246(1)
Political Activism in the Nineteenth Century
246(1)
Progressive Reforms
246(1)
American Diversity
Women in Office
247(1)
Popular Culture and Politics
Rock the Vote or Mock the Vote?
248(7)
Recent Turnout
249(1)
Who Does Not Vote?
250(1)
Why Turnout Is Low
251(4)
Other Campaign Participation
255(1)
Presidential Nominating Campaigns
255(2)
Who Runs for President and Why?
256(1)
How a Candidate Wins the Nomination
256(1)
American Diversity
Can an African American Be Elected President?
257(7)
Presidential Caucuses and Conventions
259(1)
Presidential Primaries
259(1)
Reforming the Nomination Process
260(1)
The National Conventions
261(3)
Independent and Third-Party Nominees
264(1)
The General Election Campaign
264(5)
Campaign Organization
264(1)
Campaign Strategies
265(3)
Campaign Communication
268(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Terrorism as an Election Issue
269(7)
The Electoral College
273(3)
Campaign Funding
276(1)
The Permanent Campaign
276(1)
Congressional Campaigns
277(2)
Incumbents: Unsafe at Any Margin?
277(1)
Challengers
278(1)
Campaigns
279(1)
Voting for Congress
279(1)
Conclusion: Do Elections Make Government Responsive?
279(2)
Epilogue Kerry Makes Iowa a Priority
281(3)
Key Terms
282(1)
Further Reading
282(1)
For Viewing
282(1)
Electronic Resources
282(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
283(1)
American Government Resources
283(1)
Money and Politics
284(30)
You Are There Should You Vote to Regulate?
285(2)
Money and Politics in America's Past
287(2)
Money in Nineteenth-Century American Politics
288(1)
Early Reforms
289(1)
Regulating Money in Modern Campaigns
289(8)
Issues in Campaign Finance Reform
290(1)
Modern Attempts at Reform
290(2)
Regulating the Costs of Campaigns and Public Financing
292(1)
Contribution Limits and Ways to Avoid Them
292(4)
Independent Spending
296(1)
Popular Culture and Politics
How the Swift Boat Ad Became a National News Story
297(2)
Disclosure
297(1)
Campaign Finance Reform and the 2004 Election
297(1)
Is Real Reform Possible?
298(1)
The Impact of Campaign Money
299(7)
Does the Campaign Finance System Deter Good Candidates?
299(1)
Does Money Win Elections?
300(1)
Does Money Buy Favorable Policies?
301(4)
Does Our Campaign Finance System Encourage Extortion?
305(1)
American Diversity
Direct Contributors in the 2004 Presidential Campaign
306(1)
Campaign Money and Public Cynicism
306(1)
Conflicts of Interest
307(2)
Are There Democratic and Republican Kinds of Corruption?
309(1)
Conclusion: Does the Influence of Money Make Government Less Responsive?
309(2)
Epilogue Schumer Discourages Tighter Accounting Regulations
311(3)
Key Terms
313(1)
Further Reading
313(1)
For Viewing
313(1)
Electronic Resources
313(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
313(1)
American Government Resources
313(1)
PART THREE Institutions
Congress
314(40)
You Are There Should You Run for the Party Leadership?
315(1)
Members and Constituencies
316(4)
Members
316(2)
Constituencies
318(1)
Congress as a Representative Body
319(1)
American Diversity
Congress Is Not a Cross Section of America
320(6)
The Advantages of Incumbency
323(3)
How Congress Is Organized
326(8)
The Evolution of Congressional Organization
326(2)
Contemporary Leadership Positions
328(3)
Committees
331(2)
Staff and Support Agencies
333(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Continuity in Government
334(1)
What Congress Does
335(7)
Lawmaking
336(3)
Oversight
339(2)
Budget Making
341(1)
Members on the Job
342(4)
Negotiating the Informal System
342(2)
Making Alliances
344(1)
Using the Media
345(1)
Balancing the Work
346(1)
Congress and the Public
346(2)
Conclusion: Is Congress Responsive?
348(3)
Epilogue Pelosi Cracks the Whip
351(3)
Key Terms
352(1)
Further Reading
352(1)
For Viewing
352(1)
Electronic Resources
352(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
352(1)
American Government Resources
353(1)
The Presidency
354(42)
You Are There Should You Resign the Presidency or Stay and Fight?
355(3)
Development and Growth of the Presidency
358(1)
Qualifications and Tenure
359(2)
Eligibility
359(1)
Pay and Perks
360(1)
Tenure and Succession
360(1)
Powers and Responsibilities
361(3)
Chief Executive: Administrative Duties
362(1)
Chief of State: Representing the Nation
362(1)
Chief Diplomat: Statesmanship
363(1)
Commander in Chief: Military Leadership
364(1)
Presidential Staff
364(6)
Executive Office of the President
365(1)
White House Office
365(4)
Office of the Vice President
369(1)
Presidential Leadership
370(12)
The President and His Party
371(1)
The President and Congress
371(8)
Executive Leadership
379(2)
The President and the Public
381(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
National Crises and the Expansion of Presidential Powers
382(7)
The President and Public Opinion
387(1)
The Ebb and Flow of Presidential Power
388(1)
Presidential Reputation
389(3)
Presidential Character
390(1)
Goals and Vision
391(1)
Conclusion: Is the Presidency Responsive?
392(1)
Epilogue Clinton Stays and Fights
393(3)
Key Terms
394(1)
Further Reading
394(1)
For Viewing
394(1)
Electronic Resources
394(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
395(1)
American Government Resources
395(1)
The Bureaucracy
396(32)
You Are There Should You Blow the Whistle on the FBI?
397(2)
The Nature of Bureaucracies
399(1)
American Diversity
Women and Minorities in the Civil Service
400(4)
Goals
401(1)
Performance Standards
402(1)
Openness
403(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Veil of Secrecy
404(2)
Growth of the Federal Bureaucracy
406(5)
Why the Bureaucracy Has Grown
406(1)
Controlling Growth
407(1)
Agencies within the Federal Bureaucracy
408(3)
What Bureaucracies Do
411(3)
Administering Policy
411(1)
Making Policy
412(1)
Regulation
413(1)
Data Collection and Analysis
413(1)
Politics and Professional Standards
414(3)
The Merit System
414(1)
Neutral Competence
415(2)
Overseeing the Bureaucracy
417(6)
President
417(3)
Congress
420(1)
Courts
421(1)
Interest Groups and Individuals
421(2)
Conclusion: Is the Bureaucracy Responsive?
423(1)
Epilogue Edmonds Blows the Whistle
424(4)
Key Terms
426(1)
Further Reading
426(1)
For Viewing
426(1)
Electronic Resources
426(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
426(1)
American Government Resources
427(1)
The Judiciary
428(34)
You Are There Do You Plunge into the Political Thicket?
429(2)
Development of the Courts' Role in Government
431(7)
Founding to the Civil War
432(3)
Civil War to the Great Depression
435(1)
Great Depression to the Present
436(1)
The Next Era
437(1)
Courts
438(1)
Structure of the Courts
438(1)
Jurisdiction of the Courts
438(1)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Surveillance Court
439(1)
Judges
439(4)
Selection of Judges
439(4)
American Diversity
Do Women Judges Make a Difference?
443(3)
Tenure of Judges
445(1)
Qualifications of Judges
445(1)
Independence of Judges
446(1)
Access to the Courts
446(3)
Wealth Discrimination in Access
446(2)
Interest Groups Help in Access
448(1)
Proceeding through the Courts
448(1)
Deciding Cases
449(7)
Interpreting Statutes
449(1)
Interpreting the Constitution
450(1)
Restraint and Activism
450(2)
Following Precedents
452(1)
Making Law
453(1)
Deciding Cases at the Supreme Court
453(3)
The Power of the Courts
456(1)
Use of Judicial Review
456(1)
Use of Political Checks against the Courts
456(1)
Conclusion: Are the Courts Responsive?
457(1)
Epilogue O'Connor Plunges into the Political Thicket
458(4)
Key Terms
460(1)
Further Reading
460(1)
For Viewing
461(1)
Electronic Resources
461(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
461(1)
American Government Resources
461(1)
PART FOUR Civil Liberties and Rights
Civil Liberties
462(44)
You Are There Do You Challenge the President in Wartime?
463(2)
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights
465(2)
Individual Rights in the Constitution
465(1)
The Bill of Rights
465(2)
Freedom of Expression
467(3)
Freedom of Speech
467(3)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
The USA Patriot Act
470(4)
Freedom of Association
474(5)
Freedom of the Press
475(2)
Libel and Obscenity
477(2)
Freedom of Religion
479(7)
Free Exercise of Religion
480(2)
Establishment of Religion
482(4)
Rights of Criminal Defendants
486(6)
Search and Seizure
488(1)
Self-Incrimination
489(1)
Counsel
490(1)
Jury Trial
491(1)
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
491(1)
Rights in Theory and in Practice
492(1)
Right to Privacy
492(10)
Birth Control
492(1)
Abortion
492(6)
Homosexuality
498(3)
Right to Die
501(1)
Conclusion: Are the Courts Responsive in Interpreting Civil Liberties?
502(1)
Epilogue Federal Courts Can Hear Detention Suits
503(3)
Key Terms
504(1)
Further Reading
504(1)
For Viewing
504(1)
Electronic Resources
505(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
505(1)
American Government Resources
505(1)
Civil Rights
506(48)
You Are There Friend or Foe?
507(1)
Race Discrimination
508(1)
Discrimination against African Americans
508(1)
American Diversity
Black Masters
509(12)
Overcoming Discrimination against African Americans
513(8)
Continuing Discrimination against African Americans
521(7)
Terrorism, Politics, and Policy
Profiling of Arabs?
528(10)
Improving Conditions for African Americans?
528(3)
Discrimination against Hispanics
531(4)
Discrimination against Native Americans
535(3)
Sex Discrimination
538(9)
Discrimination against Women
538(8)
Discrimination against Men
546(1)
Affirmative Action
547(3)
In Employment
547(1)
In College Admissions
548(2)
Conclusion: Is Government Responsive in Granting Civil Rights?
550(1)
Epilogue Exclusion of Japanese Is Upheld
551(3)
Key Terms
552(1)
Further Reading
552(1)
For Viewing
552(1)
Electronic Resources
552(1)
InfoTrac College Edition
553(1)
American Government Resources
553(1)
Appendix A The Declaration of Independence554(2)
Appendix B Constitution of the United States of America556(9)
Appendix C Federalist Paper 10565(3)
Appendix D Federalist Paper 51568(2)
Appendix E Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address570(1)
Notes571(31)
Glossary602(9)
Index611

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