Analyzing American Democracy: Politics and Political Science

Providing the tools for critical thinking, the sixth edition of Analyzing American Democracy: Politics and Political Science relies on statistical analysis, constitutional scholarship, and theoretical foundations to introduce the structure, process, and outcomes of the U.S. political system. Fully updated with coverage on the 2024 presidential election and its aftermath, the book explores historic and contemporary trends in U.S government including political polarization at all levels, the impact of media on public opinion, the ever-expanding power of the executive branch, shifts in economic and foreign policy, and challenges to civil rights and liberties.

For introductory courses in American government, this text enables students, scholars, and activists to evaluate the political landscape of the United States through a lens of social justice.

Jon R. Bond received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently a professor of political science at Texas A&M University. His research analyzes the policy making process and the operation of democracy in American politics. Specifically, he is interested in the interactions of American political institutions, especially Congress and the presidency, and how electoral motivations affect democratic responsiveness in American political institutions. He has published in major general and specialty political science journals including the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, American Politics Research, Legislative Studies Quarterly, and Presidential Studies Quarterly. He was an APSA Congressional Fellow in 1987–1988, working on the staffs of Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas and Representative Norman Mineta of California. He was co-editor of the Journal of Politics from 1993–1997, and served as president of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society from 2006–2008, and president of the Southern Political Science Association, the oldest regional political science association from 2006–2007.

Lydia M. Andrade received her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and is department chair and professor of political science at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. She is an award-winning teacher and author of a variety of teaching and learning guides including supplements for this text. She participates regularly in summer workshops with The College Board and is known for her work on the presidency, foreign policy, women and politics, and teacher diversity.

José D. Villalobos received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and is department chair and professor of political science and public administration as well as a distinguished teaching professor at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He has garnered numerous recognitions for his teaching and research, including the University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award and the American Political Science Association’s Best Book Award. His research examines institutional leadership, public opinion and behavior dynamics, and policymaking. His publications include articles in?The Journal of Politics,?Political Psychology,?Politics & Gender, and?Presidential Studies Quarterly,?and he is co-author of?Seeing Us in Them: Social Divisions and the Politics of Group Empathy?(Cambridge University Press).