American government : political development and institutional change / Cal Jillson.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 565-584) and index.

1. The Origins of American Political Principles -- 2. The Revolution and the Constitution -- 3. Federalism and American Political Development -- 4. Political Socialization and Public Opinion -- 5. The Mass Media and the Political Agenda -- 6. Interest Groups: The Politics of Influence -- 7. Political Parties: Winning the Right to Govern -- 8. Voting, Campaigns, and Elections -- 9. Congress: Local Representation and National Lawmaking -- 10. The President: Governing in Uncertain Times -- 11. Bureaucracy: Redesigning Government for the Twtenty-First Century -- 12. The Federal Courts: Activism versus Restraint -- 13. Civil Liberties: Ordered Liberty in America -- 14. Civil Rights: Where Liberty and Equality Collide -- 15. Government, the Economy, and Domestic Policy -- 16. America{u2019}s Place in a Dangerous World -- Appendix A: Declaration of Independence -- Appendix B: The Articles of Confederation -- Appendix C: Constitution of the United States -- Appendix D: Federalist Numbers 10, 51, and 78 -- Appendix E: Partisan Control of the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court.

To gain a fuller understanding of American politics today, students need to learn how it has evolved, from its founding principles to its contemporary practices. Such a perspective is crucial for making sense of the strategic and ideological battles in twenty-first century American politics. Cal Jillson{u2019}s American Government: Political Development and Institutional Change fosters this understanding by providing insights into how institutions, avenues of participation, and policies have changed over time to produce today{u2019}s political environment in the United States. Going one step further, Jillson homes in on the critical question of how American democracy might work better, focusing in every chapter on reform and change into the future.