The American political system is complex and dynamic. In recent years, political upheaval, social change and economic decline have exerted such stresses and stains that the functioning of the system and the performance of institutions have increasingly been questioned. American politics have not only become more intractable for politicians, but the new complexities have made the task of students seeking to understand and explain the workings of the system much more difficult. Explaining American Politics aims to unravel these complexities and difficulties by helping students to confront and comprehend the major issues in contemporary American government. The contributors have used their specialist knowledge to develop authoritative interpretations of such key issues as; the impact of conservatism and its political consequences; changing perceptions of the Presidency and the problem of legislative leadership; the alleged and continuing irresponsibility of Congress; the chronic weaknesses and manifest failures of bureaucracy; the apparently inexorable activism of the Supreme Court; the ostensible decline of political parties; and the much anticipated prospect of electoral realignme This book should be of interest to lecturers and students of American politics.