Politics in the USA

Name: Politics in the USA
ISBN: 9780203161807

doi:10.4324/9780203161807

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive, introductory text that has now been thoroughly up-dated to take account of the considerable developments in American politics over the last 10 years. It introduces students to the essential elements of the political system, establishing a framework from which to understand the intricacies of politics in the world's most powerful nation.

The two-party system Fifty party systems – The presidential and the congressional parties – Why two parties? – Grass roots democracy – Local politics – The structure of the parties – Party organisation – Campaign finances – The ideological content of American politics – Liberalism and conservatism – Extremism and violence – The clash on issues

chapter 4|22 pages

Politics and elections Caucuses and primary elections – The national conventions – The campaign and the Electoral College – House and Senate elections – Elections and the states

chapter 5|15 pages

Pressure politics Group pluralism – Interest groups and organisation – Business interest groups – Labour and politics – The farmers and the government – Public interest and cause groups – Interest groups at work

chapter 6|26 pages

Congressional politics The parameters of congressional power –Party discipline and party unity – Influences on congressional voting behaviour – The structure of Congress – Congressional leadership – The Speaker – The majority and minority floor leaders – Party committees – The House Rules Committee – The filibuster in the Senate – The congressional committee system – Conference committees – The presidential veto power – Congressional control of finance – Other control functions – Congress and policy making

chapter 7|28 pages

Presidential politics The political functions of the President – The powers of the President – Checks to presidential power – Party chief and national leader – The institutions of the Presidency – The Cabinet – The Executive Office of the President – The White House Office – The National Security Council – The Office of Management and Budget – The Council of Economic Advisers – The problem of the Presidency – The parameters of power – The Twenty-Second Amendment – The power of the Presidency

chapter 8|14 pages

Politics and the administration The structure of the administration – The executive departments – The independent regulatory commissions – Government corporations – The Federal civil service – Congress and the Federal service – Presidential control of the administration – Administration and the Federal system

Politics in the USA

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

chapter 1|16 pages

A government of limited powers The challenge of American history – Federalism – The separation of powers – The Bill of Rights – Unity and diversity – Politics and the Constitution

chapter 2|23 pages

The nature of American politics Models of politics – Sectionalism and nationalism – The pluralist nature of politics – Class – Urban–rural–suburban politics – Pluralism in American politics – The role of individualism and personality

chapter 3|25 pages

chapter 4|22 pages

Politics and elections Caucuses and primary elections – The national conventions – The campaign and the Electoral College – House and Senate elections – Elections and the states

chapter 5|15 pages

Pressure politics Group pluralism – Interest groups and organisation – Business interest groups – Labour and politics – The farmers and the government – Public interest and cause groups – Interest groups at work

chapter 6|26 pages

chapter 7|28 pages

chapter 8|14 pages

chapter 9|23 pages

Politics and the judiciary The Supreme Court and judicial review – The Supreme Court as policy

chapter 10|16 pages

The making of policy in modern America

chapter |17 pages

Appendix 1 The Constitution of the United States of America

chapter 1|1 pages

Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the United States

chapter 2|1 pages

Chief Justices of the United States Supreme Court

chapter 3|1 pages

Presidential elections: the Popular Vote and Electoral College votes, 1932–96

chapter 4|1 pages

Composition of Congress, 1933–98

chapter |8 pages

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