A2 US Government & Politics Textbook 3rd Edition

Summary:
This highly popular textbook has been written specifically to meet the needs of A2 students, providing comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date coverage of core topics in US and comparative government and politics. Carefully structured around the specifications, the textbook combines authoritative discussion with the latest facts and figures. Frequent Summary boxes and definitions of Key Terms aid comprehension and revision, while an Exam Focus section at the end of each chapter offers source-based exercises relating to the text and assignments for extension work, drawing on further reading.

This bestselling textbook has been completely revised to meet the needs of A2 students using the recent A2 specifications. It provides comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date coverage of the US and comparative US/UK topics on the main exam board specifications. The third edition has been fully updated to include the 2008 presidential election.

• Suitable for all awarding bodies
• Comprehensive and authoritative topic coverage
• Completely revised and updated
• Lively, full-colour design
• Full coverage of the 2008 presedential election
• New chapter on ethnic and racial politics
• Includes details of the new Obama administration

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Constitution
The size and diversity of the USA
The events leading to the Philadelphia Convention
The writing of the federal Constitution
The amendment process
The Bill of Rights and later amendments
Separation of powers
Checks and balances
Federalism and the changing federal–state relationship
Consequences of federalism
Comparing US and UK constitutions
Elections and voting
When presidential elections occur
Requirements for a presidential candidate
The invisible primary
Primaries and caucuses
The 2008 nomination race
National Party Conventions
Campaign finance
The role of the media
Turnout
Voting behaviour in presidential elections
Why Obama won in 2008
The Electoral College
Congressional elections
Propositions, referendums and recall elections
Comparing US and UK elections and voting
Political parties
The history of the USA’s two main parties
Major parties and ideology
Organisational structure of the two major parties
The two-party system
Third parties
Theories of party decline
Theories of party renewal
Comparing US and UK political parties
Pressure groups
Pluralism
Types of pressure group
Functions of pressure groups
Reasons for joining a pressure group
Methods used by pressure groups
The impact of pressure groups on issues
The impact of pressure groups on government
Regulation of pressure groups
Arguments against pressure groups
Arguments for pressure groups
Comparing US and UK pressure groups
Congress
The structure of Congress
Membership of Congress
Powers of Congress
The relative importance and prestige of the House and the Senate
Leadership in Congress
Congressional committees
The legislative process
Voting in Congress
Oversight of the executive branch
The public view of Congress
Comparing Congress with the UK parliament
The presidency
The creation of the presidency
The powers of the president
The vice-president
The federal bureaucracy
The cabinet
The Executive Office of the President (EXOP)
EXOP–cabinet rivalries
The president’s relations with Congress
The president and foreign policy
Theories of presidential power
Limits on presidential power
Comparing the presidency with the UK prime minister
The Supreme Court, and the protection of rights and liberties
The structure of the federal courts
Membership of the Supreme Court
Philosophy of the justices
The appointment and confirmation process
The power of judicial review
The Supreme Court and the protection of rights and liberties
The Supreme Court and presidential power
Checks on the Supreme Court
Comparing US and UK judiciaries
Racial and ethnic politics
Ethic diversity and representation
The civil rights movement
Developments in minority representation
Affirmative action
Minority representation in government
The protection of the rights and liberties of racial and ethnic minorities
Appendices
Presidents of the USA
The Constitution of the USA
Index

About the Author(s):
Anthony J. Bennett has taught, examined and written on American politics for many years. He is the author of the A2 US Government and Politics Exam Revision Notes and the US Government & Politics Annual Survey 2007, also published by Philip Allan Updates.