ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains the nature of change in the American political system. It focuses on some very distinguished, some younger and bringing fresh approaches to the analysis of politics–to comment on the nature of political change, upon examining it through the lenses of the early Clinton years. The book suggests that major episodic political change is not only possible in the United States, it happens with considerable frequency. It also suggests that the nature and direction of that change is, to a considerable extent, unpredictable. The book explains that the longer the time frame within which one assesses political change, the more likely it is that abrupt and discontinuous changes in politics. It focuses on three fundamental aspects of political change: politics, governmental institutions, and public policy. The book also focuses on continuity and change in governing institutions.
