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