This is the first comprehensive introduction to American government through the lens of racial and ethnic equality. The author team is perfect to take on this task: Paula McClain is a premier African American political scientist who has written extensively on the politics of race and ethnicity for students, scholars, and the general public. Steve Tauber is known for his work on civil rights and liberties and legal studies of a variety of sorts including animal rights and criminal justice. Together, they take on the canon from the U.S. Constitution to key American political institutions and instruments of political behavior to the making of public policy. Engaging the original voices of ethnic actors in our nation's history, the authors show readers how to measure and evaluate the ephemeral value of equality in American from the founding to the current moment.

Author Biography

Paula D. McClain is professor of political science at Duke University and a premier author, scholar, and series editor of numerous works on urban, racial, and ethnic politics. She is particularly valued for her commitment to mentoring students from every background. Steven C. Tauber is associate professor of government and international affairs at the University of South Florida and known for his work on a variety of national and global legal studies and civil and animal rights, among others.