Basics of American Politics

ISBN-10
0321069552
ISBN-13
9780321069559
Language
English
Published
2000-01
Author
Gary Wasserman

Description

This brief, nuts-and-bolts introduction to American government has been a student favorite and a bestseller for over 30 years because of its lively, straight-forward approach to the basics, its brevity, and its always inexpensive price. This text uses a dynamic game metaphor to engage students in the basics of the American political system and the contact sport of politics. Beginning with a clear definition of politics, it introduces four governmental and four nongovernmental "players" who must abide by the "rules of the game" established by the Constitution and civil liberties. It ends by examining rival theories of who wins and who loses in American politics. Written to engage students and lay a flexible foundation for instructors, "The Basics of American Politics" covers all the terms and topics behind the current news, situating politics in the classroom and beyond.