Analyzing American Democracy: Politics and Political Science

How can political science help you understand the world you live in? Modern approaches to the study of politics analyze why Congress, the president, the courts, and other political actors do what they do. Learning to think critically about power, institutions, and rules helps citizens engage constructively in politics and the wider world around them and helps us systematically identify false claims, biases, and misconceptions. Analyzing American Democracy teaches students to think analytically by presenting current political science theories and research in answering the engaging, big questions facing American politics today. It serves as both an introduction to American politics and to the discipline of political science by reflecting the theoretical developments and empirical inquiry conducted by researchers. Every chapter highlights the most current research and discusses related public policy. It demonstrates for students how to think critically and analytically, bringing theoretical insight to contemporary American politics. More than just a comprehensive overview and description of how American politics works, Jon Bond and Kevin Smith demonstrate how politics can be studied systematically. Throughout the text, they introduce students to the insights gleaned from rational choice, behavioral, and biological approaches to politics. Understanding these three social scientific models and their applications helps students get the most out of their American government course and out of this text--they learn a way of thinking that they can use to make sense of future challenges facing the American polity. A number of features help aid comprehension and critical thinking: Key Questions at the start of every chapter frame the learning objectives and concepts "Thinking Analytically" boxes demonstrate how political scientists answer pressing questions about the American polity and model critical thinking "Applying the Frameworks" boxes show why theory is so important in making systematic sense of the political world "New Directions" boxes will highlight cutting edge research in political science to highlight some of the big contemporary questions the book addresses Tables, Figures, Charts, and Maps throughout present the empirical details of American politics, helping students gain quantitative literacy Top Ten Takeaway Points at the end of every chapter recap the most important points covered but also help students discern the general principles that make sense of the numerous factual details Key Terms are bolded in the text, defined in the margins, recapped at the end of the chapter, and compiled in a glossary, all to help insure that students can effortlessly master the vocabulary of American politics and political science in order to move on to the more important concepts. NEW TO THE SECOND EDITION Updated coverage throughout includes Affordable Care Act in the context of federalism Death penalty debates Affirmative action Racism, homophobia, and hate crimes in the wake of Ferguson Weakening of the Voting Rights Act Gay marriage history and new developments Tea Party and traditional party interface Campaign finance upheaval The changing Congressional landscape and increasing political polarization Updated tables, figures, and photos present the empirical details of American politics, helping students gain quantitative literacy Landmark court cases, now highlighted and linked to key concepts Refreshed feature boxes reinforce the book’s dedication to helping students understand the scientific approach to politics, incorporating intriguing new topics including genetics and public opinion, the biology of political participation, and evolution and the bureaucracy

Table of Contents:
1. The Basics of Democracy. Part I: The Constitutional Framework. 2. The American Constitution 3. Federalism 4. Civil Liberties 5. Civil Rights Part II: Connecting Citizens to Government 6. Interest Groups 7. Political Parties 8. The Mass Media and Politics 9. Public Opinion and Political Socialization 10. Elections 11. Political Participation and Voting Behavior Part III: Official Decision Making 12. Congress 13. The Presidency 14. The Bureaucracy 15. The Federal Judiciary Part IV: Conclusion 16. Core Democratic Principles and Public Policy

About the Author :
Jon R. Bond is Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University. Kevin Smith is Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Review :
PRAISE FOR THE SECOND EDITION The new edition of Bond and Smith’s revered text threads the needle by adding several exciting touches—most notably, the thoroughly updated content and thematically integrated boxes—without sacrificing the features that so many devoted instructors have long loved—most notably, the unapologetically scientific approach and the vivid, deeply engaging writing style. John Hibbing, University of Nebraska–Lincoln From its focus on the principles of democracy to the actual practice of democracy in the United States, Bond and Smith’s introductory text provides university students with the necessary tools to critically analyze American politics. The authors effectively apply political science research in a way that is fresh and accessible to students and do so in a way that will make students think well beyond their preconceptions about politics. The chapter on elections is the most thorough and engaging treatment of presidential elections you will find in an introductory American politics textbook. Jeffrey S. Peake, Clemson University Jon Bond and Kevin Smith’s Analyzing American Democracy provides the most comprehensive and nuanced treatment of American political institutions and behavior to date. By drawing upon the most recent political science literature, the text encourages students to see American politics through a theoretical lens, and promotes a more generalized understanding of political concepts that transcend time and space. With stimulating real-world examples of the trade-offs, paradoxes, and competing ethical perspectives that are negotiated in a modern representative democracy, students become conversant and critically-engaged in the challenges confronting the country, and thus, become better citizens. Sarah A. Fulton, Texas A&M University PRAISE FOR THE LAST EDITION Analyzing American Democracy is one of the best American Government books on the market. Not only is it comprehensive in covering material across the vast spectrum of American politics, but it also has an interesting point of view: the idea that our expectations of government and its performance may not be entirely realistic. Bond and Smith have written a book that is accessible to undergraduate students, yet provides sufficient detail for professors to examine the nuances of American politics today. Richard W. Waterman, University of Kentucky Nobody does a better job than Bond and Smith of integrating modern political science with a thoroughly up-to-date introduction to American government. Most of my students have already been exposed to an AP-style high school American government survey, and a text that is clearly more science than civics is exactly what they need at the college level. On top of that the writing has the wit, snap, and drive that keeps students reading and thinking in spite of themselves. John R. Alford, Rice University Teaching a broad survey course that covers the breadth of American politics can be a daunting task for both instructors and students. Bond and Smith have organized what could be an overwhelming amount of information into a logical structure coupled with a straightforward, journalistic writing style that incorporates cutting-edge political science research with key political concepts. The result is a textbook that is truly an introduction to political science, not just civics or popular politics. Amanda Friesen, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis