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This brief, straight-forward introduction to American government has been a long-time student favorite because of its lively and no-nonsense approach to the basics and its continued inexpensive price.

Using a dynamic game metaphor, the text covers four governmental and four nongovernmental “players,” as well as the constitutional and civil liberties “rules of the game.”   It begins by defining politics and finding it in an unusual place—the classroom. It ends by examining rival theories of who wins and who loses in American politics. Written to engage students and lay a flexible foundation for instructors, The Basics of American Politics covers all the needed terms and topics behind the current news.

• The extreme brevity and inexpensive price of this book makes it an excellent choice for instructors who want to use other material—articles, readers, novels—in their course, but also ensure that the class ‘gets’ the basics.
• Completely updated through Election 2004 and its aftermath, the heated partisan divisions both here and abroad, a new case study on Howard Dean’s innovative use of the Internet, the use and avoidance of the new campaign reform law, the rise of big money and 527 groups, the role of late-night TV comics, and the impact of the elections on the presidency, congress and the political parties.
• Fresh accounts of national security issues since September 11, 2001 focusing on the presidency, congress and media.   National security issues are reflected in conflicting media images of the war in Iraq, a Marine’s view of embedded reporters, the White House spin on damaging intelligence revelations and Congress’s dependence on the executive in wartime.
• Civil Liberties and Terrorism bring to life the continuing tension within the government and public opinion on the proper balance between prosecuting terrorism and protecting liberties.   A case study looks at the courts guarding these liberties in terrorist cases, and Congress’s debate over the Patriot Act.
• Boxed stories present engaging anecdotes and promote critical thinking—including President Bush’s Unconservative Approach to Federalism; The Revival of Affirmative Action in the University of Michigan Case; The Presidential Leadership Style on Iraq; Nasty Behavior on the Hill; Redistricting: the Incumbent Protection Racket; and Free Speech Bake Sales on Campus.
• More emphasis on lobbying: The text looks closely at the impact of lobbyists and the debate over their influence. It traces the rise in power of this much publicized actor in our political system, and the continuing importance of money in campaigning.
• Analyses of the Rehnquist Court. The text now discusses the current writings on the modern court as a guardian of federalism, involvement in affirmative action and its vigorous assertion of judicial supremacy.
• “Case Studies” in each chapter allow students to apply concepts to real-life scenarios and enhance their understanding of material.
• “Thought Questions” and “Suggested Readings” at the end of every chapter aid discussion and promote further interest in the topics discussed.
• TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE—Free access to LongmanParticipate.com Version 3.0. LongmanParticipate.com 3.0, the most interactive and comprehensive Web site available for American government, gets students experiencing what they only read about in their textbook. The site offers five types of highly interactive, in-depth activities for every chapter in the textbook: Simulations (now over 30 simulations in all!), Visual Literacy, Timelines, Participation, and Comparative. All activities are accompanied by detailed feedback and scoring so students know how they are doing, and there are pre-and post-tests for each chapter so students can gauge their progress. Go to www.longmanparticipate.com to explore a demo of the site!

• An increased focus on the presidency: the centralizing of power in the chief executive and the role of national security in this trend; the president’s unusual approach in deciding and implementing his invasion of Iraq; and the use of political spin in handling uncomfortable revelations by the 9/11 Commission.    Once again, organizing discrete news into an overall trend helping students understand the ‘bigger picture.’
• A new case study: Blogs, Howard Dean and the 2004 Campaign discusses the impact of the Internet on presidential elections and how it may radically change how we choose political leaders. Students can be expected to relate to how their online world is drastically altering America’s political world.
• A thoroughly revised case study, Fighting Terrorism, Guarding Liberties focuses on an American born terrorist who the Supreme Court declared should have the right to a Court review of Administration charges; allows students a peek behind the scenes of judicial action.
• New boxes on the Patriot Act and privacy; affirmative action in universities; and on conservative free speech bake sales on campus illustrate to students the relevance of civil rights and liberties in their lives.
• The 2004 Elections in all their conflicted splendor—from White House spins, presidential debates and national party conventions to John Kerry’s vice presidential pick, the rise of 527 groups channeling big money back into campaigns, and the role of late-night TV comics.   All designed to give students a deeper look at the daily news.

1. What Is Politics?

2. The Constitution: Rules of the Game.

3. The Executive Branch: The Presidency and Bureaucracy.

4. The Legislative Branch: Congress.

5. The Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court and the Federal Court System.

6. Civil Rights and Liberties: Protecting the Players.

7. Voters and Political Parties.

8. Interest Groups and the Media.

9. Who Wins, Who Loses: Pluralism versus Elitism.

American Government  [BRIEF / ESSENTIALS TEXTS]   (Political Science)

Companion Website for The Basics of American Politics, 12/E
Wasserman
©2006  |  Pearson  |  On-line Supplement  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321355148  |  ISBN-13: 9780321355140
This online resource is available at no cost at http://www.ablongman.com/wasserman12e.
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For American Government

Annotated 1876 Texas Constitution
Haag
©2006   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 104 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0321355334   |   ISBN-13: 9780321355331
Suggested retail price: $24.80Net price: $18.60  (What's this?)

California (Longman State Politics) (Valuepack Item Only), 6/E
Fiber
©2008   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 111 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205584047   |   ISBN-13: 9780205584048
Suggested retail price: $22.80Net price: $17.10  (What's this?)

California Politics (Longman State Politics Series), 8/E
Fiber-Ostrow
©2011   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 120 pp   |   Out of Stock
ISBN-10: 0205066690   |   ISBN-13: 9780205066698
Suggested retail price: $22.40Net price: $16.80  (What's this?)

Classroom Response System (Download Only) for American Government
Pearson Education
©2010   |   Pearson   |   On-line Supplement   |   Live
ISBN-10: 0205713610   |   ISBN-13: 9780205713615
This online resource is available at no cost.

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Classroom Response System Clicker Content (Download only) for American Government, 2/E
Pearson Education
©2011   |   Pearson   |   On-line Supplement   |   Estimated Availability : 02/25/2011
ISBN-10: 0205082289   |   ISBN-13: 9780205082285
This online resource is available at no cost.

Florida (Longman State Politics) (Valuepack Item Only), 3/E
Gonzalez
©2008   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 70 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205584039   |   ISBN-13: 9780205584031
Suggested retail price: $23.60Net price: $17.70  (What's this?)

Georgia State Politics (Longman State Politics Series) (Valuepack item only)
Sewell & Walton
©2006   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 208 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0321427653   |   ISBN-13: 9780321427656
Suggested retail price: $0.00Net price: $0.00  (What's this?)

MyClassPrep -- Instant Access -- for American Government
Pearson Longman
©2012   |   Pearson   |   On-line Supplement   |   Estimated Availability : 01/15/2011
ISBN-10: 020511279X   |   ISBN-13: 9780205112791
This online resource is available at no cost.

MyPoliSciLab BlackBoard -- Standalone Access Card -- for American Government

©2011   |   Pearson   |   Access Code Card   |   Estimated Availability : 12/26/2010
ISBN-10: 0205172458   |   ISBN-13: 9780205172450
Suggested retail price: $26.67Net price: $20.00  (What's this?)

MyPoliSciLab BlackBoard -- Valuepack Access Card -- for American Government
Pearson Education
©2011   |   Pearson   |   Access Code Card   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205172482   |   ISBN-13: 9780205172481
Suggested retail price: $26.67Net price: $20.00  (What's this?)

Pearson American and Texas Govenment Study Site (open access)
Pearson Education & Sabato
©2011   |   Pearson   |   Website   |   Live
ISBN-10: 0205116671   |   ISBN-13: 9780205116676
This online resource is available at no cost at http://pearsonamericangovernment.com.

Pearson Passport -- Standalone Access Card -- for American Government
Pearson Education
©2011   |   Pearson   |   Access Code Card   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205806864   |   ISBN-13: 9780205806867
Suggested retail price: $33.33Net price: $25.00  (What's this?)

Pearson Passport Link Library Files for American Government
Pearson Education
©2011   |   Pearson   |   On-line Supplement   |   Live
ISBN-10: 0205833500   |   ISBN-13: 9780205833504
This online resource is available at no cost.

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Study Card for American Government
Pearson Longman
©2005   |   Pearson   |   Study Card; 8 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0321291859   |   ISBN-13: 9780321291851
Suggested retail price: $11.20Net price: $8.40  (What's this?)

Ten Things Every American Government Student Should Read, 2/E
O'Connor
©2000   |   Pearson   |   Paper   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 020528969X   |   ISBN-13: 9780205289691
Suggested retail price: $33.60Net price: $25.20  (What's this?)

Texas (Longman State Politics series) (Valuepack Item Only), 5/E
St. John
©2008   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 105 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205584020   |   ISBN-13: 9780205584024
Suggested retail price: $22.80Net price: $17.10  (What's this?)

Texas (Longman State Politics series) (Valuepack Item Only), 6/E
St. John
©2010   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 144 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205679803   |   ISBN-13: 9780205679805
Suggested retail price: $22.80Net price: $17.10  (What's this?)

Texas Politics (Longman State Politics Series), 7/E
Pearson Education
©2011   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 120 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205066712   |   ISBN-13: 9780205066711
Suggested retail price: $21.60Net price: $16.20  (What's this?)

For the Political Science Discipline

Building Bridges: The Allyn & Bacon Student Guide to Service-Learning
Hamner
©2002   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 128 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205319742   |   ISBN-13: 9780205319749
Suggested retail price: $45.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $33.90  (What's this?)

CPS RF Classroom Performance System
eInstruction
©2010   |   Pearson   |   Electronic Supplement   |   Available
ISBN-10: 020577864X   |   ISBN-13: 9780205778645
This online resource is available at no cost.

Georgia (Longman State Politics Series), 2/E
Sewell & Walton
©2011   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 64 pp   |   Estimated Availability : 12/15/2010
ISBN-10: 0205734405   |   ISBN-13: 9780205734405
Suggested retail price: $0.00Net price: $0.00  (What's this?)

iClicker Classroom Response System
iClicker & Allyn & Bacon/Longman
©2008   |   Pearson   |   Electronic Supplement   |   Available
ISBN-10: 0205594506   |   ISBN-13: 9780205594504
This online resource is available at no cost.

InterWrite PRS RF (Personal Response System)
InterWrite PRS & Allyn & Bacon/Longman
©2005   |   Pearson   |   Electronic Supplement   |   Available
ISBN-10: 0205436951   |   ISBN-13: 9780205436958
This online resource is available at no cost.

Longman Atlas of World Issues, 2/E
Pearson Education
©2012   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 48 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205780202   |   ISBN-13: 9780205780204
Suggested retail price: $0.00Net price: $0.00  (What's this?)

MySearchLab -- Standalone Access Card
Pearson Education
©2010   |   Pearson   |   Access Code Card   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205699413   |   ISBN-13: 9780205699414
Suggested retail price: $40.00  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $30.00  (What's this?)

Penguin State of the World Atlas, The
Smith
©2008   |   Pearson   |   Paper   |   Estimated Availability : 06/01/2009
ISBN-10: 0205770002   |   ISBN-13: 9780205770007
Suggested retail price: $15.33Net price: $11.50  (What's this?)

Politics
Aristotle
©1991   |   Pearson   |   Paper   |   Estimated Availability : 08/31/2005
ISBN-10: 0321419715   |   ISBN-13: 9780321419712
Suggested retail price: $10.00Net price: $7.50  (What's this?)

Teaching Matters: Engaging Students in the Study of American Government
Shea
©2011   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 208 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205825613   |   ISBN-13: 9780205825615
Suggested retail price: $0.00Net price: $0.00  (What's this?)

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What Every Student Should Know About Avoiding Plagiarism
Stern
©2007   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 80 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0321446895   |   ISBN-13: 9780321446893
Suggested retail price: $10.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.65  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Citing Sources with APA Documentation: Updated for APA Sixth Edition, 2/E
Anderson, Carrell & Widdifield
©2010   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 80 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205795811   |   ISBN-13: 9780205795819
Suggested retail price: $10.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.65  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Citing Sources with MLA Documentation, Update Edition
Greer
©2010   |   Pearson   |   Paper   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205715117   |   ISBN-13: 9780205715114
Suggested retail price: $10.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.65  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Practicing Peer Review
Trim
©2007   |   Pearson   |   Paper   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0321448480   |   ISBN-13: 9780321448484
Suggested retail price: $10.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.65  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Preparing Effective Oral Presentations
Cox
©2007   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 96 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205505457   |   ISBN-13: 9780205505456
Suggested retail price: $10.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.65  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Procrastination
Hoffman
©2008   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 64 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205582117   |   ISBN-13: 9780205582112
Suggested retail price: $11.00  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $8.25  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Researching Online
Munger & Campbell
©2007   |   Pearson   |   Paper   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0321445317   |   ISBN-13: 9780321445315
Suggested retail price: $10.20Net price: $7.65  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Study Skills
Pearson Longman
©2007   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 72 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0321447360   |   ISBN-13: 9780321447364
Suggested retail price: $10.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.65  (What's this?)

What Every Student Should Know About Using a Handbook
Murray
©2009   |   Pearson   |   Paper; 80 pp   |   Instock
ISBN-10: 0205563848   |   ISBN-13: 9780205563845
Suggested retail price: $10.20  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $7.65  (What's this?)