This book investigates the distribution of power and resources within American politics, framed by the question of 'who gets what, when, and how.' The authors, Thomas Dye and Ronald Keith Gaddie, utilize this classic definition to explore the dynamic struggles that shape democracy. They present balanced arguments on contentious issues such as abortion, gun control, same-sex marriage, marijuana decriminalization, and immigration reform. The 2014 Elections and Updates Edition ensures coverage of contemporary events and the latest available data to engage students with current political discourse.

This text is designed as an educational resource for American Government courses, utilizing Harold Lasswell's framework to dissect political power dynamics. The 2014 Elections and Updates Edition specifically aims to incorporate recent electoral outcomes and current data to enhance student engagement with contemporary political issues. Its approach is to present balanced arguments on sensitive topics, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the 'who gets what, when, and how' of American politics. The inclusion of MyPoliSciLab integration suggests a focus on interactive learning and assessment tools.