A detailed analysis on the American government using the American Political Development approach.

The essential story of American politics and government is the relationship between liberalism and democracy. American Government demonstrates that the tensions and complementarities between liberalism and democracy are crucial for understanding each and all of the central governing institutions and political elements of American public life. The book deals extensively with contemporary political developments, and it provides all the information and breadth of coverage required of an introductory text. But it does so in a manner that highlights the lessons of history and the drama of politics. It shows that the crucial features of the American political system were established through difficult decisions made under enormous pressure and often agonizing, even bloody, conflict. By placing such critical choices in specific times throughout American history, the book adopts an American Political Development approach.

1. American government: rights and democracy, consensus and conflict
Part I. Formative Experiences: 2. Political culture: foundation of the American republic
3. Contesting the Constitution: a lover's quarrel
4. Political development: crucial episodes
Part II. Pivotal Relationships: 5. Federalism
6. Political economy
Part III. Governing Institutions: 7. Congress: the first branch of government
8. The Presidency: first citizen of American democracy
9. The Judiciary: the guardians of America's liberal tradition
10. Bureaucracy
Part IV. Political Forces: 11. Parties and elections
12. Public opinion and political participations
13. Back to the future: liberalism and democracy at the twenty-first century
Appendices
Glossary.