American Government

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 and Social Movements 7. Political Parties 8. Voting, Campaigns, and Elections 9. Congress: Lawmaking and Domestic Representation 10. The President: Governing in Uncertain Times 11. Bureaucracy: Redesigning Government for the Twenty-First Century 12. The Federal Courts: Activism Versus Restraint 13. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: Balance or Conflict? 14. Government, the Economy, and Domestic Policy 15. America'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

CAL JILLSON is Professor in the Department of Political Science at Southern Methodist University. His recent books include Texas Politics: Governing the Lone Star State, Pursuing the American Dream: Opportunity and Exclusion Over Four Centuries, Pathways to Democracy: The Political Economy of Democratic Transitions, and The Dynamics of American Politics.

"This textbook appeals to me a lot. Its greatest strengths are the clear, accessible writing style, combined with succinct discussion of the historical background behind why American politics today is the way it is, while not neglecting important aspects of contemporary American politics. I also believe that Jillson's comparative emphasis is a very strong aspect of the book." --Christopher N. Lawrence, Texas A&M International University "I am particularly impressed with this text's focus on theory and history. Compared to many texts that cross my desk, it's nice to see more than a page on the Constitutional Convention. Jillson's narrative flow is excellent for keeping the interest of students. This text is superior to any I've used before." --Brian A. Bearry, University of Texas at Dallas "I rate this text very highly. Specifically, throughout the chapters Jillson integrates many of the political philosophical themes that he establishes in the beginning of the text. I do this as well in classroom lectures and discussions, so his text helps me to maintain various philosophical threads for purposes of classroom continuity and reflection. Jillson also writes at an intelligent level, yet his style is accessible. I appreciate this very much." --John R. Pottenger, University of Alabama in Huntsville "To understand American politics in a time of great change, students must grasp the numerous stresses, tensions, and processes that make American government so prone to periods of tension and upheaval. Cal Jillson's fifth edition is a masterful effort at introducing lower-division students to a 'dynamic' perspective on American politics and explaining how and why our government has repeatedly succeeded in adapting to new domestic and international pressures. The text is particularly noteworthy in highlighting the role that ideas, creeds, and political culture play in helping insure that we remain true to the nation's liberal-constitutional principles as we adapt to