Product Description

A fresh and updated look at the social background to American political and economic life, the institutions and processes of government, and the most recent and dramatic events in the political arena.

• Fully updated to take into account the many political changes of the past four years and includes new chapters on environmental politics and the presidency
  
• Includes commentary of the 2008 presidential election, with the historic election of Barack Obama, and issues such as the changing balance of support for the Democrats and Republicans and the recent decline in the global reputation of the United States
  
• Student friendly style and design, with illustrations throughout
  
• Uses common examples across chapters
  
• Includes a range of pedagogical features, including definition boxes, biographies, chronologies, and more controversies than before

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12268 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

Review
"Authoritative, accessible and sophisticated, this book has become an integral foundation for teaching US politics."
--Paul Taggart, University of Sussex

From the Back Cover
American Politics and Society is a clear and concise introduction to US politics which explains, analyses, and interprets the processes of US government and, crucially, appraises them from a non–US perspective.

This completely revised new edition takes in the many changes which have occurred in US politics and explores the ‘political and ideological polarization’ which some commentators see as a significant characteristic of US politics and society today. Engaging with such issues as the rapidly changing balance of support for the Democrats and Republicans, and the continuing decline in the global reputation of the United States, the book provides an up–to–date survey of the views and criticisms of leading political commentators, including commentary on the 2008 presidential election.

Written in an accessible style and packed with illustrations and pedagogical features, this book offers a fresh look at the social background to American political and economic life, the institutions and processes of government, and the most recent and dramatic events in the political arena.

An accompanying website containing additional support for lecturers and students is available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/mckay/

About the Author
David McKay is Professor of Government at the University of Essex. He is the author of numerous books and articles on American and comparative politics, including Designing Europe: Comparative Lessons from the Federal Experience (2001, winner of the Political Studies Association WJM MacKenzie prize for the best book published in 2001). He is the co–author of The New British Politics (2007).

Customer Reviews

An excellent introduction to American politics
This book is an excellent introduction to American politics, particularly for A-level and university students.
The chapters are well researched and written in an enetertaining and iinformative style which is all to rare among poltical texts.
Even if you're not a student this book provides an interesting insight into American politics: how it works, who works in it and basically, what it all means.

Dry
Although impressive in its scope, the book can be both dry and inaccessible at times even to the most enthusiastic of students. Nevertheless, marvellously researched and relevant though not necessarily the best introduction to American government.

American Politics and Society
'American politics and Society' is a good first port of call for those who wish to learn about how the various agencies/branches of American politics are formed and run. It is written as a standard text book, but this doesn't detract from the readability of the text. This is a great introduction to American Politics. I bought my copy when doing my A-levels and I still refer back to it now to clarify points, or just to dip into out of general interest. His style is easy to read and his explanations are clear. It covers all the major topics you would wish to look at in your studies, has extensive charts, tables and graphs and is a great references book for anyone interested in politics. Well worth a look. Also check out 'Development is American Politics' edited by Gillian Peele, which also has some excellent information in a selection of essays form.