American Politics and Society
Completely revised and updated to take full account of the most recent and dramatic changes in the nature of American government, the sixth edition provides a clear and concise introduction to US politics for all students of political science and American studies. It explains, analyses and interprets the processes of US government and, crucially, appraises them from a non-US perspective.
As before McKay fills in the social background to American political and economic life, preparing the ground for the central discussion of the book: the institutions of federal government, Congress, the Supreme Court and the Constitution, the federal system, the Presidency, the party bandwagons and the electoral system.
Other features of this new edition include:
- A greater emphasis on foreign and domestic policy linked to the War on Terror
- Two completely new chapters on The Media and American Politics, and The Security State
- An up-to-date survey of the views and criticisms of leading political commentators on the American scene, including commentary on the 2004 presidential elections
- A greater use of illustrative material such as the “controversies” used as case studies, following extensive road-testing with students
Policy updates: in the next year, updates will include a review of President Bush's attempt to reform the Social Security system, updates on the progress of conflict in Iraq , a review of the US relationship with the EU and statistical updates on the US economy. For a full list of all the updates, please visit the Policy Updates page.
