This brief but inclusive narrative textbook focuses on the comparison of the theoretical promise of democracy with its actual performance. Readily accessible to undergraduates, the text is anchored in and motivated by political science scholarship. This new edition has been completely revised and updated and incorporates the results of the 2000 presidential and congressional elections. With thorough coverage of the successes and failures of the workings of democracy in todayâ?Ts United States, PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY provides students with tools they can use to understand politics, evaluate the functioning of democracy, and make educated voting decisions.