Updated to reflect the current political landscape, this book is emphasizes and explores causal questions in American Politics. It helps readers apply critical thinking toolstools pulled directly from a social scientistrs"s playbookto start answering those questions, see past todayrs"s headlines, and understand why things really happen in our political world. Containing chapters on political culture, media and politics, and interest groups, readers will come away from this book able to think and view their world critically. Readers will come away from the book not only excited by political questions, but with the means to explore possible answers as more thoughtful and empowered citizen The Brief version of Understanding American Politics and Governmentincludes the coverage of the comprehensive version in a stream-lined format