American Government: Stories of a Nation

Name: American Government: Stories of a Nation
Price: 102.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781319195366

For the AP® Course

by Scott Abernathy, Karen Waples

1st Edition

Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

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Book Details

Print ISBN	9781319195366
eText ISBN	9781319208844
Publisher	Bedford/St. Martin's
Publishing Year	2018
Edition	1st Edition
Language	English

American Government: Stories of a Nation, 1st Edition, provides systematic coverage of American political structures and governance for AP U.S. Government and Politics courses. Authored by Scott Abernathy and Karen Waples and published by Bedford/St. Martin's, this textbook aligns directly with the framework and exam requirements of the redesigned AP program.

The narrative connects foundational political principles to institutional governance. Initial chapters establish the origins of American democracy, the Constitutional Convention, and intergovernmental power dynamics under federalism. Coverage then progresses into institutional operations, analyzing representation and legislative procedures in Congress, executive authority within the presidency, judicial decision making in the Supreme Court, and administrative execution within the federal bureaucracy.

The text further explores individual freedoms and legal protections through dedicated chapters on civil liberties and civil rights. Designed specifically for AP classrooms, the textbook incorporates AP practice assessments at the conclusion of every chapter and unit to reinforce core content.

Chapter 1: American Government and Politics: The Stories of Our Nation
- • Section 1.1 The Fight for Students’ Rights
- • Section 1.2 American Political Culture
- • Section 1.3 Competing Theories of Democracy
- • Section 1.4 Institutions, Systems, and Power
Chapter 2: The Constitution: A New Vision of Government
- • Section 2.1 The Articles of Confederation
- • Section 2.2 The Constitutional Convention
- • Section 2.3 Branches of Government
- • Section 2.4 Ratification: Federalists versus Antifederalists
Chapter 3: Federalism: Dividing Power between the National Government and the States
- • Section 3.1 Conflict over Medical Marijuana
- • Section 3.2 Federalism and the Constitution
- • Section 3.3 The Dynamic Nature of Federalism
- • Section 3.4 Modern American Federalism
- • Section 3.5 The Supreme Court and Modern Federalism
Chapter 4: Congress: Representation, Organization, and Legislation
- • Section 4.1 The Constitution and Congress
- • Section 4.2 Politics of Congressional Elections
- • Section 4.3 The Organization of Congress
- • Section 4.4 "I’m Just a Bill"
- • Section 4.5 Congress and the Budget
- • Section 4.6 Challenges of Representation
Chapter 5: The American Presidency: Individuals, Institutions, and Executive Power
- • Section 5.1 Presidential Power and the War on Terror
- • Section 5.2 The Constitution and the American Presidency
- • Section 5.3 Limits on Presidential Power
- • Section 5.4 The Modern Presidency in Context
- • Section 5.5 The War on Terror and Presidential Power
Chapter 6: The Federal Judiciary: Politics, Power, and the "Least Dangerous" Branch
- • Section 6.1 Judicial Independence from Money and Politics—Or Both
- • Section 6.2 The Constitution and the Federal Judiciary
- • Section 6.3 John Marshall and the Power of the Supreme Court
- • Section 6.4 Organization of the Federal Judiciary
- • Section 6.5 Judicial Review, Constitutional Interpretation, and Judicial Decision Making
Chapter 7: The Federal Bureaucracy: Putting the Nation’s Laws into Effect
- • Section 7.1 How the Bureaucracy Is Organized
- • Section 7.2 The Structure of the Modern Federal Bureaucracy
- • Section 7.3 The Bureaucracy and Policy Making
- • Section 7.4 Checks on the Bureaucracy
Chapter 8: Civil Liberties: Protecting Fundamental Freedoms
- • Section 8.1 The Constitution and the Bill of Rights
- • Section 8.2 Selective Incorporation
- • Section 8.3 The Right of Religious Freedom
- • Section 8.4 The Right of Expression and the Right to Own Firearms
- • Section 8.5 The Rights of Defendants
- • Section 8.6 Privacy and Other Rights
Chapter 9: Civil Rights: What Is Equality?
- • Section 9.1 Securing Rights for Those with Disabilities
- • Section 9.2 The Fight against Segregation
- • Section 9.3 The Civil Rights Movement
- • Section 9.4 The Fight for Women’s Rights
Chapter 10: American Political Culture: What Americans Believe
- • Section 10.1 Core Political Values
- • Section 10.2 Political Socialization
- • Section 10.3 Globalization and American Core Values
Chapter 11: Public Opinion: Measuring Americans’ Opinions
- • Section 11.1 What Is Public Opinion?
- • Section 11.2 Trying to Measure Public Opinion Accurately
- • Section 11.3 The Effects of Public Opinion on Democratic Representation
Chapter 12: Political Ideology
- • Section 12.1 Party Ideology
- • Section 12.2 Ideology and Fiscal Policy
- • Section 12.3 Monetary Policy
Chapter 13: Elections and Campaigns: Candidates and Voters in an Era of Demographic Change
- • Section 13.1 Forms of Political Participation
- • Section 13.2 Voting
- • Section 13.3 Elections and Democratic Representation
- • Section 13.4 The Politics of Presidential Elections
- • Section 13. 5 Money and Campaigns
Chapter 14: Political Parties: The Outsiders versus the Establishment
- • Section 14.1 Functions of Political Parties
- • Section 14.2 The Development of American Political Parties
- • Section 14.3 Parties and Political Campaigns
- • Section 14.4 Third Parties
Chapter 15: Interest Groups and Social Movements: Collective Action, Power and Representation
- • Section 15.1 A Nation of Joiners
- • Section 15.2 Interest-Group Tactics
- • Section 15.3 Social Movements
Chapter 16: The Media: New Technologies, Enduring Issues
- • Section 16.1 The Evolving News Media
- • Section 16.1 Regulating Content and Ownership
- • Section 16.1 How the Media Shape American Politics Today