Author Description

Key Benefit Politics in America introduces readers to the political struggles that drive democracy, examining the participants, the stakes, the processes, and the institutional arenas that comprise the power game of American politics. Using Harold Lasswell's classic definition of politics -- "who gets what, when, and how" -- as their unifying framework, authors Thomas Dye and Ronald Keith Gaddie present balanced arguments on highly sensitive issues including abortion, gun control, same-sex marriage, marijuana decriminalization, and immigration reform. In order to boost engagement, the 2014 Elections and Updates Edition incorporates coverage of contemporary issues that dominate today's headlines, as well as the most up-to-date data. Key Topics Who Gets What, When, and How; Political Culture: Ideas in Conflict; The Constitution: Limiting Governmental Power; Federalism: Dividing Governmental Power; Opinion and Participation: Thinking and Acting in Politics; Mass Media: Setting the Political Agenda?; Political Parties: Organizing Politics; Campaigns and Elections: Deciding Who Governs; Interest Groups: Getting Their Share and More; Congress: Politics on Capitol Hill; The President: White House Politics; The Bureaucracy: Bureaucratic Politics; Courts: Judicial Politics; Politics and Personal Liberty; Politics and Civil Rights; Politics and the Economy; Politics and Social Welfare; Politics and National Security Market For readers seeking an introduction to American government that focuses on the political struggles that drive democracy.