An introduction to the US political system covering areas including: historical and constitutional background; the Presidency; Congress; the Supreme Court; parties; federal bureaucracy; the electoral system; the Reagan-Bush era; and a transcript of the US Constitution.

Completely rewritten in the light of Bill Clinton's assumption of power in January 1993, the fourth edition of this textbook provides students with an accessible and readable introduction to the American political system. After covering the historical and constitutional background to US politics, the book deals in turn with the central institutions and processes - the Presidency, the Congress, the Supreme Court, parties and interest groups, the federal bureaucracy, the making of public policy and the electoral system. The book provides an assessment of the Reagan-Bush era, and argues that Clinton's success for the Democrats in the 1992 presidential election could be a fundamental watershed in American political history. Appendices provide a glossary of key terms, and a transcript of the US Constitution. This text is for students studying for GCSE and A-level examinations in American politics; and undergraduates needing a basic framework for their courses on US politics.