Principles and Practice of American Politics
Classic and Contemporary Readings
- Samuel Kernell - University of California, San Diego, USA
- Steven S. Smith - Arizona State University
American Government and Politics
“Principles and Practice of American Politics is a well-balanced reader covering all the major topics of an American Government course.”
Combining timeless readings with cutting-edge articles and essays, Principles and Practice of American Politics, Seventh Edition, enriches students’ understanding of the American political system by examining the strategic behavior of key players in U.S. politics. This collection of classic and contemporary readings brings concepts to life by providing students with real examples of how political actors are influenced by the strategies of others and are governed by the Constitution, the law, and institutional rules. Carefully edited by award-winning authors Samuel Kernell and Steven S. Smith, each reading is put into context to help students understand how political actions fall within a major national political forum.
New to the Seventh Edition
- Nine new and updated essays encourage students to reflect on the continuing debates over the polarization of the American electorate and Congress, the role of social media and “fake news” in influencing public views of politicians and issues, the fragile Trump coalition, the efficacy of polling in tracking public opinion, and other issues more relevant than ever in the wake of the 2016 elections.
- Additional essays challenge students to think more carefully about alternative institutions and political arrangements. The new essays present institutions of majority rule, the nature of racial discrimination, and the proper role of the court as less settled issues that provide students an opportunity to think through (and discuss) their views on the future direction of American civic life.
- Each selection is artfully framed by Kernell and Smith’s contextual headnotes to make them appropriate for classroom use.
- Original readings written specifically for the volume give the book a coherent treatment of the performance of U.S. political institutions.
Save 20% when you bundle this text with The Logic of American Politics, Eighth Edition.
Use Bundle ISBN: 9781544341040
“Principles and Practice of American Politics is a well-balanced reader covering all the major topics of an American Government course.”
“Principles and Practice of American Politics includes scholarly but accessible essays on a range of important topics.”
“I was very impressed with Principles and Practice of American Politics. I especially liked the balance between classic and contemporary readings.”
“I appreciate the contemporary interpretations and syntheses of the classic works, as this makes those works more approachable for all students.”
