Features
“Analyzing the Evidence” units explore the political science behind political phenomena discussed in each chapter.
In a style based on the engaging graphics used in newspapers and news magazines, these features show students “how we know what we know” about certain political phenomena, carefully explaining the significance of the data presented and the basic methodology that political scientists use to analyze such data. Related exercises on the StudySpace website build on each Analyzing the Evidence unit, asking students to apply the basic concepts and methods to a further example.
Download a PDF of this Analyzing the Evidence spread.
Emphasis on the Five Principles of Politics provides students with the tools for analysis.
Politics is messy, complex, and contentious. How do we make sense of what seems too large and impossible to explain? Throughout the text, the authors integrate and repeatedly draw upon five fundamental principles of politics:
- All political behavior has a purpose.
- All politics is collective action.
- Institutions routinely solve collective action problems.
- Political outcomes are the products of individual's preferences and institutional procedures.
- History matters.
“Applying the Principles: Politics in the News” boxes provide models for applying the analytical framework to current political events.
Each two-page box reproduces a recent article from The New York Times on topics ranging from the Supreme Court and presidential power, to the difficulties of passing legislation to protect the environment, and conflicting state and federal laws on immigrants' rights. A headnote proceeds each article outlining how the principles apply to the story, and 3-5 annotations throughout the story highlight more specific points of analysis.
The Online Reader is closely integrated with the text—and FREE with new copies.
American Government draws on contemporary research and key scholarship to present the field as political scientists understand it today. The Norton American Politics Online Reader includes over 100 important recent articles and foundational works cited in American Government. Perfect for supplementary reading assignments and special projects, an icon next to the citation in the text indicates that a reading is available in the online reader.