This book provides a broad historical background to American politics, and also a social and economic setting, and closely follows the syllabuses of the three main English examination boards (AQA, Edexcel and OCR). After setting the subject in context, the book provides an introduction to and analysis of the American Constitution, and the make up of the presidency, the presidential administration and the bureaucracy, before looking in depth at the legislature and the judiciary. The book considers the role of the American media, political parties and pressure groups, as well as providing a clear introduction to the main issues involved in American politics. The unqiue nature of American elections is also considered, and the book is written in the light of the 2000 presidential election, and its complicated and bitter aftermath. It also ponders the immediate future of American politics, under the Bush administration. The book includes a number of student-friendly features, including summaries, checklists, definitions, points to consider and further sources of information. Each chapter includes a look at the topic in question in a comparative context, which should prove useful in preparing for this element of the A-level examination.