This best- selling reader offers a broad selection of classic and current documents, as analytical essays on current political issues. The readings cover such as affirmative action and welfare refrm, and address current topics and recent events including the Columbia shuttle disaster, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the war in Iraq, and the 2004 Presidential race. The balance of historical and contemporary, scholarly and popular material makes this text an excellent tool for exploring American politics.

Part 1 Constitutional Foundations
Chapter 1 The Constitution and Founding
Chapter 2 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
Chapter 3 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Part 2 People and Politcs
Chapter 4 Public Opinion
Chapter 5 Particiption and Civic Engaaement
Chapter 6 Political Parties
Chapter 7 Campaigns and elections
Chapter 8 The Mass Media
Chapter 9 Interest Groups

Part 3 Institutions
Chapter 10 Congress
Chapter 11 The Presidency
Chapter 12 Bureaucracy
Chapter 13 The Suppeme

Part 4 Public Policy
Chapter 14 Policymaking