Governing America covers the foundations of modern American politics, the structure of American governing institutions, domestic and foreign public policies and a series of contemporary controversies.

An innovative edited textbook, designed for first-time students of American politics, this volume offers an accessible and comprehensive examination of American politics both before and after September 11.

• Covers the US political system as well as topical issues that will interest students, such as capital punishment, gun control, abortion, and gay rights
• Covers all the elements of a US politics course in an accessible and thorough way
• Tightly edited by international experts, producing an integrated and fully coherent volume
• Innovative learning aids throughout, including 'Definition' boxes, 'Constitutional Influences' boxes, 'Core Academic Debates' boxes, 'Is America Different?' boxes, a guide to further reading, and web links
• Incorporates the impact of September 11 on all areas of US domestic and foreign policy, as well as including an excellent summary chapter, putting September 11 into context

Contents:
Robert Singh: Introduction
Part I Historical and Theoretical Context
1 Michael Cox: America and the World
Part II Institutions and Intermediary Organizations
3 Richard Hodder-Williams: The US Constitution
4 John G. Francis: Federalism
5 Robert Mason: Political Parties and the Party System
6 Candice Nelson: Elections
7 Pete Lentini: Mass Media
8 Richard Hodder-Williams: Federal Judiciary
9 John Hart: The Presidency
10 John E. Owens: Congress
11 Mark Carl Rom: Federal Bureaucracy
12 Burdett Loomis: Interest Groups
Part III Public Policy
13 Nigel Bowles: Economic Policy
14 John Dumbrell: Foreign Policy
15 Stephen Burman: Foreign Economic Policy
16 Elizabeth Bomberg: Environmental Policy
17 Fiona Ross: Social Policy
Part IV Issues and Controversies
18 Martin Durham: Abortion
19 Robert Singh: Gun Control
20 Robert Singh: Capital Punishment
21 Vivien Hart: Gender
22 Steve Bruce: Religion
23 Don Haider-Markel: Gay Rights
24 Eric Kaufmann: Race and Multiculturalism
25 Michael Cox: American Power before and after September 11
Index