American Difference: A Guide to American Politics in Comparative Perspective

American Difference: A Guide to American Politics in Comparative Perspective takes the reader through different aspects of democracy-political culture, institutions, interest groups, political parties, and elections-and, unlike other works, explores how the United States is both different from and similar to other democracies.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Chapter 1: American Politics from a Comparative Perspective What Does It Mean to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective? Is American Democracy the Best Type of Democracy? Why Is It Important to Examine American Politics from a Comparative Perspective? What to Expect in the Following Chapters How to Use This Book Key Terms Review Questions Notes Chapter 2: Similarities between the United States and Other Democracies Definition of Democracy Procedural Democracy Public Contestation (Competition) and Inclusion (Participation) Freedoms Socioeconomic Development Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 3: American Exceptionalism Differing Views of Governing Legitimacy Functional Explanations for American Exceptionalism Social Democracy and Liberal Democracy Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 4: Political Beliefs: Political Culture and Ideology Political Culture Civic Culture Political Engagement: Political Interest Interpersonal Trust, Reciprocity, and Social Capital Political Efficacy: Free Choice and Control over Life Distinction of American Cultural Beliefs Individualism and Economy Ideology Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 5: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Explaining Differing Levels of Civil Rights and Liberties Civil Liberties in Practice Civil Rights in Practice Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 6: Constitutional Arrangements Constitutional Arrangement: Constitutional Longevity Constitutional Arrangement: Majoritarian and Consociational Democracies Vertical Organization of Government: Unitary, Federal, and Confederal Systems Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 7: Governing Institutions National Governing Institutions The Legislative Branch The Executive Branch Judiciary Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 8: Interest Groups Interest Groups, Social Movements, and Social Movement Organizations Interest Group Life Cycle Pluralist Versus Neo-Corporatist Interest Group Arrangements Why Pluralist or Neo-Corporatist? Role of Interest Groups in the United States Historically and Today Types of Groups New Social Movements How Do Groups Participate in Politics? Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 9: Political Parties Party History and Formation American Party Development—Why Aren’t Parties as Strong? The Founding and the Aversion to Parties The Nature of American Parties Where Are the American Cleavages? Role of Parties in Government American Two-Party System Versus Other Party Systems An Americanization of Parties Elsewhere or More Party Government in the United States? Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 10: Elections and Electoral Institutions Candidate Selection Electoral Institutions Plurality, Majority, and Proportional Representation Systems Consequences of Electoral Systems Conclusion Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 11: Electoral Behavior Introduction Context of Elections and Campaigns Voting Behavior: Electoral Participation Political Party Mobilization: Weak Party Organization in the United States Campaign Information Flow Clarity of Electoral Choice: Liberalism and Limited Government Evaluating the Consequences of the Electoral Context on Voter Participation Electoral Behavior: Determinants of Vote Choice Nonvoting Behavior Consequences of Electoral Laws, Context, and Voting for Democracy Conclusion Points to Remember Key Terms Review Questions Suggested Readings Notes Chapter 12: Conclusion Notes

About the Author :
Dr. Lori M. Poloni-Staudinger (PhD, Indiana University, 2005) is Associate Dean for research, personnel, and graduate programs in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and a Professor of Political Science at Northern Arizona University. Her research and publications focus on social movements, political contention and extra-institutional participation, and political institutions, mainly in Western Europe. Her recent work examines questions around women and political violence. She was a Distinguished Fulbright Fellow at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria, and has served as a consultant for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. She also taught at University of the Basque Country in San Sebastian, Spain. She served as treasurer, vice president and president of the Women’s Caucus for the Midwest Political Science Association. Lori is a Kettering Foundation Fellow and also serves as vice president of a school board and president of a non-profit board in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dr. Michael R. Wolf (PhD, Indiana University, 2002) is aa professor and department chair in the Department of Political Science at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne. His research focuses on comparative and American public opinion and political behavior. He has recently published on the nature and effects of political discussion in democracies and the dynamics of political compromise and political incivility. He is a research a research fellow with the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, and former Lugar Senior Fellow, 2017 Arts and Sciences Distinguished Lecturer, and partner with the Kettering Foundation.

Review :
"Most of my students assume that all democracies maintain a two-party system, a separation of powers, a federal system, and a strong tradition of freedom of speech. What they need is in [this] excellent book. It gives students a comparative perspective on what is exceptional in the American democratic design, what leads democracies to differ from and resemble one another, and how these differences and similarities affect students′ lives. I strongly recommend the authors’ approach and their book." "This book follows the Tocquevillian logic that the best way to understand American politics is to compare to other nations. American Difference offers a very readable and engaging introduction to what is distinct about American political institutions, culture, interest groups, and party politics—and the implications of these differences. A strong addition to any American politics course."