CURRENT PERSPECTIVES: READINGS FROM INFOTRAC COLLEGE EDITION, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT includes sixteen articles on issues in American Politics, covering a range of topics from political theory to political socialization -- giving you a comprehensive introduction to American Government. After each reading, you'll find critical thinking questions that deepen your understanding of the readings. Along with the reader, you gain access to InfoTrac(R) College Edition, and you can even create your own online reader in InfoTrac(R) using InfoMarks.

Table of Contents

1. DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL THEORY. "What Whitman Knew: Walt Whitman"s "Democratic Vistas" is still the most trenchant explanation of American policies and ambition," David Brooks. 2. THE CONSTITUTION. "The Organic and Moral Elements in the American Constitution: The Constitution is a product of colonial experience under British common law and historic traditions," Paul Johnson. 3. FEDERALISM. "A Fickle Federalism: The Rehnquist Court hobbles Congress-and the states, too," Richard Briffault. 4. CIVIL LIBERTIES. "Rights, Liberties, and Security: Recalibrating the balance after September 11," Stuart Taylor, Jr. 5. CIVIL RIGHTS. "Affirmative Action: Don"t mend it or end it-bend it," Peter H. Schuck. 6. PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION. "How to Spot a Bogus Poll (Opinion Survey Result Analysis)," Brad Edmondson. 7. INTEREST GROUPS. "MoveOn"s Big Moment (Nation/Campaign "04/Internet Politics)," Chris Taylor and Karen Tumulty. 8. POLITICAL PARTIES "Third Parties and the Two-party System," Christian Collet. 9. CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS. "Unrecorded Votes and Election Reform (Perspectives: Elections)," David C. Kimball, Chris T. Owens and Katherine McAndrew Keeney. 10. THE CONGRESS. "The Senate and Executive Brach Appointments (statistical data included)," Burdett Loomis. 11. THE PRESIDENCY. "War Powers: A new chapter continuing debate (Looking at the Law)," Charles F. Williams. 12. THE BUREAUCRACY. "The Human Side of Public Administration," Louis C. Gawthrop. 13. THE JUDICIARY. "The Five Dumbest Supreme Court Decisions (Past Cases)," Daniel Franklin. 14. DOMESTIC AND ECONOMIC POLICY. "Social Security and Its Discontents," John Attrain. 15. FOREIGN AND DEFENSE POLICY. "The Transformation of National Security," Philip Zelikow. 16. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. "The Dire State of the States: They"re mired in deficits, as are city halls-and with the federal deficit ruling out help from Washington, investors have another worry (STREET WISE) (state and local government budget woes dampen hopes for U.S. economic recovery)," Amey Stone.