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The Logic of American Politics Samuel H. Kernell

The Logic of American Politics By Samuel H. Kernell

The Logic of American Politics by Samuel H. Kernell


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Summary

This edition of the bestselling book arms students with an introduction to institutional design that makes concepts such as command, veto, agenda control, voting rules, and delegation easier for students to master and apply, so they clearly see how the American political system was devised and why it works the way it does.

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The Logic of American Politics Summary

The Logic of American Politics by Samuel H. Kernell


The Eight Edition is thoroughly updated and includes the dramatic 2016 election results and a thorough analysis of those results. It continues to delve into partisan differences among voters and in government and highlight the increasingly partisan nature of campaigns. By exploring issues such as the Affordable Care Act's troubled implementation, the increasing legalization of marijuana and same-sex marriage in the states, and the debate over immigration, the book illustrates how the institutional structures of government, federalism, and even campaigns can help voters make sense of their choices. The concluding chapter on policymaking examines the noticeable logic that guides American policy, as shown through policies like health care reform, global climate change, and the federal budget. Students glean insights into the sources of policy problems, identify possible solutions, and realize why agreement on those solutions is often so hard to achieve.

The Logic of American Politics Reviews

I have been using The Logic of American Politics for ten years, and of all the introductory textbooks on American politics, this is the best. It has a well-carried theme throughout, is comprehensive, and always reflects updated political science research. -- Danny Hayes
The Logic of American Politics is the best textbook on the market for those instructors seeking to emphasize the concepts of institutional design and collective action. This thematic focus helps introductory students truly understand American government and politics. What is more, the text pushes students to think analytically about the topic while engaging them with both current and historical narratives in American politics. -- Patrick Wohlfarth
The Logic of American Politics is a well-written and thorough introduction that incorporates helpful and contemporary examples. It is the best textbook that I have come across in the subject of American politics and the discipline of political science. -- Ashley Moraguez

About Samuel H. Kernell

Samuel Kernell is professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego, where he has taught since 1977. Previously, he taught at the University of Mississippi and the University of Minnesota. Kernell's research interests focus on the presidency and American political history. His previous books include Going Public: New Strategies of Presidential Leadership, 3rd edition; an edited collection of essays, James Madison: The Theory and Practice of Republican Government; and, with Gary C. Jacobson, The Logic of American Politics, 7th edition, and Strategy and Choice in Congressional Elections, 2nd edition. Kernell's most recent book, Party Ballots, Reform and the Transformation of American Politics, (2015, with Erik Engstrom), won the APSA's David Greenstone Award for the best book in politics and history. Gary C. Jacobson is distinguished professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego, where he has taught since 1979. He previously taught at Trinity College, the University of California at Riverside, Yale University, and Stanford University. Jacobson specializes in the study of U.S. elections, parties, interest groups, and Congress. He is the author of Money in Congressional Elections: The Politics of Congressional Elections, Eighth Edition, The Electoral Origins of Dividend Government: Competition in the U.S. House Elections, 1946 - 1988, and A Divider, Not a Uniter: George W. Bush and the American People, Second Edition, and is coauthor with Samuel Kernell of Strategy and Choice in Congressional Elections, Second Edition. Jacobson is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Thad Kousser is professor of political science and department chair at the University of California, San Diego. He has served as a legislative aide in the California, New Mexico, and U.S. senates. He is the author of Term Limits and the Dismantling of State Legislative Professionalism, coauthor of The Power of American Governors and The Logic of American Politics, and coeditor of The New Political Geography of California. Kousser has been awarded the UCSD Academic Senate's Distinguished Teaching Award, has served as coeditor of State Politics and Policy Quarterly, and serves as coeditor for state and local politics of Legislative Studies Quarterly. Lynn Vavreck is associate professor of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she has taught since 2001. She previously taught at Dartmouth College and held a research position at Princeton University. Before returning to the academy, Vavreck worked in the White House and on presidential campaigns. Her research focuses mainly on the effects of campaign messaging and specifically on the impact of political advertising. She is the author of The Message Matters: The Economy and Presidential Campaigns and co-author of Campaign Reform: Insights and Evidence and The Gamble: Choice and Chance in the 2012 Election. Her political commentary can be read in The New York Times and on broadcast outlets like MSNBC, CNN, and NPR. She serves on advisory boards for the American National Election Study and the British Election Study and has twice consulted for venture-funded start-ups interested in improving the measurement of advertising and public attitudes through innovations in technology.

Table of Contents

Preface A Note to Students Chapter 1: The Logic of American Politics The Importance of Institutional Design Constitutions and Governments Collective Action Problems The Costs of Collective Action Representative Government The Work of Government Collective Action and America's Constitution Nota Bene Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions PART 1 The Nationalization of Politics Chapter 2: The Constitution The Road to Independence America's First Constitution: The Articles of Confederation Drafting a New Constitution The Fight for Ratification The Theory Underlying the Constitution Designing Institutions for Collective Action: The Framers' Tool Kit The Constitution Begins the Nationalization of American Politics Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 3: Federalism American-Style Federalism Federalism and the Constitution The Paths to Nationalization Modern Federalism Evolving Federalism: A By-Product of National Policy Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 4: Civil Rights What Are Civil Rights? The Civil Rights of African Americans The Politics of Black Civil Rights The Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement Challenging Tyranny Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 5: Civil Liberties Nationalization of Civil Liberties Writing Rights and Liberties into the Constitution Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press Freedom of Religion Gun Rights Criminal Rights Privacy Assessing Civil Liberties as Public Policy Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions PART 2 The Institutions of Government Chapter 6: Congress Congress in the Constitution Congress and Electoral Politics Who Serves in Congress? The Basic Problems of Legislative Organization Organizing Congress Making Laws Evaluating Congress Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 7: The Presidency The Historical Presidency The Modern Presidency Dilemma of Leadership Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 8: The Bureaucracy The Development of the Federal Bureaucracy An Expanding Government Bureaucracy in Action Who Controls the Bureaucracy? Bureaucratic Reform: A Hardy Perennial Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 9: The Federal Judiciary Setting the Stage for Judicial Review Three Eras of the Court's Judicial Review The Structure of the Federal Judiciary Judicial Decision Making The Supreme Court's Place in the Separation of Powers Who Guards the Guardians? Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions PART 3 The Public's Influence on National Policy Chapter 10: Public Opinion What Is Public Opinion? Measuring Public Opinion The Origins of Public Opinion Is Public Opinion Meaningful? The Content of Public Opinion Effects of Background on Public Opinion Public Opinion: A Vital Component of American Politics Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 11: Voting, Campaigns, and Elections The Logic of Elections The Right to Vote Who Uses the Right to Vote? Election Campaigns The Logic of Elections Revisited Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 12: Political Parties The Constitution's Unwanted Offspring The Development and Evolution of the Party Systems The Revival of the Parties: A Sixth Party System? Expediency Persists Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 13: Interest Groups The Logic of Lobbying The Origins of Interest Group Politics in the United States Contemporary Interest Groups What Do Interest Groups Do? Interest Group Politics: Controversial and Thriving Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Chapter 14: The News Media Development of the News Business News as a Consumer Product News Media as the Fourth Branch News as the Product of Politics Strategic Relations between Politicians and Reporters Conclusion: Politician-Press Relations Then and Now Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions PART 4 Conclusion Chapter 15: Is There a Logic to American Policy? Free Riding and Health Care The Obstacles to Taking Domestic Action to Stop Global Climate Change High-Stakes Maneuvering: Why We Tiptoe Up To, but Have Not Fallen Off, the Fiscal Cliff The Prisoner's Dilemma of Entitlement Reform The Success and Failure of Collective Action: A Tale of Two Tax Reforms Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Readings Review Questions Reference Material Notes Glossary Index About the Authors

Additional information

CIN1506358667LN
9781506358666
1506358667
The Logic of American Politics by Samuel H. Kernell
Used - Like New
Paperback
SAGE Publications Inc
20170313
744
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

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