Updated to capture the current political landscape, this book is emphasizes and explores causal questions in American Politics. It helps readers apply critical thinking tools-tools pulled directly from a social scientist,s playbook-to start answering those questions, see past today,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 citizens

Table of Contents

Brief Table of Contents: 1 Thinking About American Politics 2 Political Culture 3 The Constitution 4 Federalism 5 Civil Liberties 6 Civil Rights 7 Public Opinion 8 Political Participation 9 Voting, Elections, and Campaigns 10 Media and Politics 11 Political Parties 12 Interest Groups 13 Congress 14 Presidency 15 The Federal Court System 16 The Bureaucracy 17 Economic and Social Policy 18 Foreign Policy 19 State and Local Governments