Government in America

The eighth edition of this classic text includes up-to-the moment coverage of the 1996 U.S. Presidential election. The authors are well renowned specialists in institutions, political behaviour and policy respectively and they have strengthened the book to use two themes- democracy (theory) and the scope of government (policy). The democracy theme addresses the questions of how to govern and leads to the extensive use of the theories of democracy (elitism, pluralism, hyperpluralism), and promotes understanding of the consequences of the American democratic system. The scope of the government theme addresses the second question of governing- "What should a government do?". This core question invites students to consider and critically analyse the alternative views of the influence of American individualism and its consequences on public policy.
Features and Benefits
an updated edition which includes new information on the November election analysis 1996 and 1997 gridlock and the growing pessimistic view of politics and politicians
provides a unique chapter on the U.S. budget
themes are expanded, and new section introduce themes at the beginning of each chapter (in addition to the end) and also discussion occurs mid-way through the chapter to aid learning