Analyzing American Democracy

Jon R. Bond received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and is currently a professor of political science at Texas A&M University. His research analyzes the policy making process and the operation of democracy in American politics. Specifically, he is interested in the interactions of American political institutions, especially Congress and the presidency, and how electoral motivations affect democratic responsiveness in American political institutions. He has published more than three-dozen chapters and journal articles on presidential-congressional relations, congressional elections, and public policy. He served as president of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society from 2006–2008, and president of the Southern Political Science Association, the oldest regional political science association from 2006–2007. Kevin B. Smith received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is currently a professor of political science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he is also co-director of the UNL Political Science Physiology Lab. His primary research focus is on the biology of political attitudes and behavior. Smith is the recipient of his university’s College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Research and Creative Achievement Award.

Preface


1. The Basics of Democracy


PART I: THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK


2. The American Constitution


3. Federalism


4. Civil Liberties


5. Civil Rights


PART II: CONNECTING CITIZENS TO GOVERNMENT


6. Interest Groups


7. Political Parties


8. The Mass Media and Politics


9. Public Opinion and Political Socialization


10. Elections


11. Political Participation and Voting Behavior


PART III: OFFICIAL DECISION MAKING


12. Congress


13. The Presidency


14. The Bureaucracy


15. The Federal Judiciary


PART IV: CONCLUSION


16. Core Democratic Principles and Public Policy





Appendix A. Declaration of Independence


Appendix B. The Articles of Confederation


Appendix C. The Constitution of the United States


Appendix D. Federalist Papers Number 10


Federalist Papers Number 51


Appendix E. Partisan Control of the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme
Court


References


Glossary


Cases Index


Name Index


Subject Index