America the unusual / John W. Kingdon.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction -- 2. Describing the Comparisons. Institutions. Political Parties. Public Policy -- 3. American Ideology. The Content. Some Results of American Ideology. Institutions and Ideas -- 4. Why Do Americans Think That Way? Migration. Diversity and Localism. Economic and Social Structure. Opportunity. Isolation. Conclusion: A Story of Path Dependence -- 5. Implications. Learning. Pragmatism. The Future.

"America the Unusual by John Kingdon explores the uniqueness of the American system of government and how it acquired its distinctiveness. Kingdon argues that America is fundamentally different from other industrialized countries and surveys diverse perspectives on American development in an effort to explain why America is so distinct. He then assesses what does and does not work in the American political system, arguing for a tempering of American doctrines and a return to pragmatism."--BOOK JACKET.