Summary
Contents
Subject index
NEW TO THIS EDITION: A new chapter on civil rights and liberties (chapter 5) introduces students to a comparative look at rights and liberties, so that students can have a more holistic understanding of US politics. A new chapter on constitutional arrangements (chapter 6) introduces students to the uniqueness of the US Constitution, so that students can think more critically about the US Constitution in comparative perspective. An expanded chapter on institutions (chapter 7) provides comparative context to help students understand why legislative and executive branches together makes the most sense. The discussion on elections has been divided into two chapters - one on institutions (chapter 10) and one on behavior (chapter 11) - to make the topic easier to digest for students and easier to cover for instructors. New data around the 2016 general election and the 2018 midterm election offers students the most up-to-date information on elections and encourages students to explore how these elections are a reflection (or not) of American exceptionalism. A new textbox on far right political parties helps students to think critically about how different electoral and institutional arrangements impact how far right politics materializes in practice in various countries. New end of chapter material, including study questions, suggested readings and key words offer students multiple opportunities to further their knowledge of the content. KEY FEATURES: The balanced approach uniquely discusses and provides examples of similarities - as well as differences - between the US and other democracies. American exceptionalism is addressed and its most common definition, of the US as superior, is challenged, pointing out that exceptional only means different. Break-out boxes, attractively displayed empirical examples providing easily accessible data, and end-of-chapter study questions and terms help to reinforce concepts and provide learning aids for students.
Elections and Electoral Institutions
Elections and Electoral Institutions
On November 8, 2016, 58 percent of eligible United States’ voters went to the polls to elect, among other offices, the next president of the United States. This election was historic. It was the first time a woman was running as a major party candidate for president. As results came in, many pollsters and Hilary Clinton supporters were stunned. Donald Trump secured over the 270 Electoral College votes necessary to win the presidency. When the election was over, he walked away with 306 electors to Clinton’s 232. This is despite the fact that Clinton secured 48.5 percent of the vote to Trump’s 46.4 percent, a difference of nearly 3 million votes. This isn’t the first ...
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