American Government
Central Ideas in American Government is Soomo’s best-selling webtext. Driven by concise learning objectives, each chapter presents political science students with critical concepts in American Government.
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Steady encouragement
After each new topic is presented, students answer a few questions about the main ideas. This helps students stay focused, actively process the information, and construct new knowledge.
Presentation and exploration
Sixteen chapters offer concise presentation of key concepts. An additional 32 investigations guide students through the examination of real-world artifacts and case studies to put the concepts into context and test the limits of the ideas presented.
Study questions
More than 1,000 study questions encourage close reading and guide students to key information.
Everything you need
Central Ideas in American Government provides everything you need for an online course—including the text, interactive investigations, lecture slides, a test bank, and an analytics dashboard. And we can tailor the webtext to match your program’s emphasis, term length, student expectations, and assignment types.
- The Founding and the Constitution
- Introduction
- The Constitution: A Product of Conflict and Compromise
- Declaring Independence
- The Articles of Confederation
- Negotiating the Constitution
- Constitutional Compromises
- A New Government
- Constitutional Principles
- The Constitution Defines and Limits the Government
- The Articles of the Constitution
- Amending the Constitution
- The 27 Amendments to the Constitution
- Investigation: Passing the 19th Amendment, Part 1
- Investigation: Passing the 19th Amendment, Part 2
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Amendment Process
- The Constitution Leaves Room for Interpretation
- The Full Faith and Credit Clause vs. the Supremacy Clause
- Investigation: Comparing Constitutions, Part 1
- Investigation: Comparing Constitutions, Part 2
- Conclusion
- Federalism
- Introduction
- The Constitution Establishes a Federal System
- The National and State Governments Compete for Power
- Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: McCulloch v. Maryland, Part 1
- Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: McCulloch v. Maryland, Part 2
- Dual Federalism
- Cooperative Federalism
- Coercive Federalism
- New Federalism
- Power Shifts Between National and State Governments
- Developments in Transportation
- Developments in Communications, Science, and Technology
- Differing Political Ideas
- Federalism Has Strengths and Weaknesses
- COVID-19 and Federalism
- Investigation: The Business of Weed, Part 1
- Investigation: The Business of Weed, Part 2
- Conclusion
- Civil Liberties
- Introduction
- Civil Liberties Protect Individuals
- Core Protections and Limits
- Amendment I: Freedom of Religion—The Establishment Clause
- Amendment I: Freedom of Religion—The Free Exercise Clause
- Amendment I: Freedom of Speech
- Amendment I: Symbolic and Student Speech
- Investigation: Free Speech for Students, Part 1
- Investigation: Free Speech for Students, Part 2
- Amendment I: Limits to Free Speech
- Amendment I: Freedom of Assembly and the Press
- Amendment II: The Right to Bear Arms
- Amendment IV: Searches and Seizures
- Amendment V: Due Process
- Amendment VI: The Right to a Fair Trial
- Amendment VIII: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
- Extending Civil Liberties to the States
- Religious Freedom, Gun Rights, and Incorporation
- Selective Incorporation
- The Interpretation of Civil Liberties Evolves
- Privacy Rights and Abortion
- Privacy Rights and Sexuality
- Investigation: Older than the Bill of Rights, Part 1
- Investigation: Older than the Bill of Rights, Part 2
- The Right to Die
- Conclusion
- Civil Rights
- Introduction
- Civil Rights Require Equal Protection
- Affirmative Action
- Slavery and the Fight for Abolition
- The Reconstruction Amendments
- Jim Crow Laws
- The First Feminists: Women Fight for the Vote
- Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Movement, Part 1
- Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Movement, Part 2
- Desegregating Public Higher Education
- Desegregating Elementary and Secondary Education
- Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Brown v. Board, Part 1
- Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Brown v. Board, Part 2
- Desegregating Transportation and Public Spaces
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The Voting Rights Act of 1965
- Government Expands Women's Civil Rights
- Women's Rights Today
- Judicial Standards of Review in Civil Rights Cases
- Rights for Different Groups
- LGBTQ+ Rights
- Conclusion
- Congress
- Introduction
- Congress According to the Constitution
- Apportionment and Redistricting
- Investigation: Drawing Political Lines, Part 1
- Investigation: Drawing Political Lines, Part 2
- The Process of Making Laws
- Parties in the House and Senate
- Party Influence and Control
- Unified vs. Divided Government
- Types of Congressional Committees
- Investigation: Setting the Legislative Agenda, Part 1
- Investigation: Setting the Legislative Agenda, Part 2
- Committees Help Make Congress More Productive
- Congress Members Consider Multiple Influences
- Influences on Legislators
- Descriptive Representation
- Delegate vs. Trustee Models of Representation
- Conclusion
- The Presidency
- Introduction
- The President Has Many Roles
- Executive Powers
- Executive Orders and Privilege
- Legislative Powers
- Judicial Powers
- Diplomatic Powers
- Military Powers
- Presidential Power Has Grown
- Policies and Programs
- The President and Parties
- The President and Mass Media
- Implied and Delegated Power
- Investigation: The Broken Presidency, Part 1
- Investigation: The Broken Presidency, Part 2
- Executive Power Is Limited
- Impeachment
- Presidential Performance Matters
- Assessing Performance
- Investigation: Eavesdropping on the Oval Office: LBJ's First Days, Part 1
- Investigation: Eavesdropping on the Oval Office: LBJ's First Days, Part 2
- Conclusion
- Bureaucracy
- Introduction
- The Federal Bureaucracy Implements Laws
- Executive Branch Organization
- Presidential Power
- Legislative Oversight
- Issue Networks and Iron Triangles
- Investigation: The USDA: An Agency for Farmers, Part 1
- Investigation: The USDA: An Agency for Farmers, Part 2
- The Federal Bureaucracy Has Grown
- The Progressive Era
- The Great Depression and the New Deal
- The Great Society
- The Reagan Revolution
- The Bureaucracy Today
- The Federal Bureaucracy Has Considerable Power
- Investigation: Implementing the ACA, Part 1
- Investigation: Implementing the ACA, Part 2
- Limitations on Bureaucratic Power
- Americans Seek to Reform the Bureaucracy
- Devolution and Privatization
- Conclusion
- The Judiciary
- Introduction
- Article III Establishes the Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- The Court Has Expanded Its Influence
- Judicial Review
- The Impact of Judicial Review
- Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Marbury v. Madison, Part 1
- Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Marbury v. Madison, Part 2
- The Supreme Court Chooses Cases
- Access to the Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court's Decision-Making Process
- Appointments Influence the Judiciary
- The Supreme Court Undergoes a Political Shift
- Many Factors Influence Judicial Decisions
- Judicial Philosophy
- Political Ideology
- Political Context
- Investigation: The Path to Marriage Equality, Part 1
- Investigation: The Path to Marriage Equality, Part 2
- Conclusion
- Public Opinion
- Introduction
- Many Factors Influence Public Opinion
- Investigation: Am I Blue, Purple, or Red? Part 1
- Investigation: Am I Blue, Purple, or Red? Part 2
- Political Socialization
- Additional Factors of Socialization
- Properly Conducted Polls Express Public Opinion
- Investigation: The Ins and Outs of Exit Polls, Part 1
- Investigation: The Ins and Outs of Exit Polls, Part 2
- The Basics of Scientific Polling
- Should Elected Leaders Listen to Public Opinion?
- Paying Attention to the Public
- Trends in Presidential Approval Ratings
- Trends in Congressional Approval Ratings
- Conclusion
- The Media
- Introduction
- Content and Journalistic Standards Have Evolved
- The Partisan Press and Sensationalism
- The Evolution of Journalistic Ethics
- The Decline of Traditional Media
- Agenda Setting and Priming
- Framing
- Persuasion
- Investigation: Making the News, Part 1
- Investigation: Making the News, Part 2
- Online Media Presents Challenges
- Ethical Standards in Journalism
- Selective Exposure
- Civil Discourse
- Investigation: #Divide, Part 1
- Investigation: #Divide, Part 2
- Conclusion
- Voting and Political Participation
- Introduction
- Direct vs. Indirect Democracy and Conventional Political Participation
- Unconventional Participation
- Why People Participate in Politics
- Demographics Behind Participation
- Investigation: We the Protestors, Part 1
- Investigation: We the Protestors, Part 2
- Partisan Loyalty
- Policy Issues
- Candidate Characteristics
- The Economy Affects Voting
- Voter Turnout Remains Low
- Low Turnout Compared to Other Democratic Industrialized Nations
- The Mandatory Voting Debate
- Investigation: License to Vote, Part 1
- Investigation: License to Vote, Part 2
- Conclusion
- Elections and Campaigns
- Introduction
- Elections Ensure Political Legitimacy
- Congressional Elections
- Congressional Incumbents vs. Challengers
- Investigation: The Year of the Woman, Part 1
- Investigation: The Year of the Woman, Part 2
- Presidential Elections
- The Primary Season
- National Conventions
- The Electoral College
- The Positives of the Electoral College
- The Negatives of the Electoral College
- Investigation: The Ins and Outs of the Electoral College, Part 1
- Investigation: The Ins and Outs of the Electoral College, Part 2
- Campaign Strategies Vary
- Campaign Tactics
- Campaign Finance
- Campaigns Have Evolved
- Candidate-Centered Campaigns
- Conclusion
- Political Parties
- Introduction
- Parties Have Three Components
- The Party Organization
- The Party in Government
- The Party in the Electorate
- The Role of Parties in Democratic Governance
- The United States Has a Two-Party System
- Implications of the Two-Party System
- Investigation: What Can Third Parties Do?, Part 1
- Investigation: What Can Third Parties Do?, Part 2
- Origins of the American Two-Party System
- 1796–1859: The First Political Parties
- The Critical Election of 1860
- The Critical Election of 1896 and Republican Party Dominance
- The Critical Election of 1932 and Democratic Party Dominance
- The 1960s to Today: Partisan Realignments
- Investigation: Party Platforms, Part 1
- Investigation: Party Platforms, Part 2
- Conclusion
- Interest Groups
- Introduction
- Interest Groups Seek to Influence Policy
- Types of Interest Groups
- The Politics of Healthcare Reform
- Lobbying
- Investigation: What Lobbyists Do, Part 1
- Investigation: What Lobbyists Do, Part 2
- Election Activity
- Other Forms of Influence
- Interest Groups Have Grown Over Time
- Joining Interest Groups
- Forming Interest Groups
- Investigation: The American Pizza Community, Part 1
- Investigation: The American Pizza Community, Part 2
- Americans Aren't Represented Equally
- The Value of Interest Groups
- Conclusion
- Public Policy
- Introduction
- Each Branch of the Government Influences Public Policy
- Policymaking in a Separated System
- The Public Policy Cycle
- The Policymaking Process
- Agenda Setting
- Policy Formulation and Adoption
- Policy Implementation
- Investigation: Healthcare: Quality, Part 1
- Investigation: Healthcare: Quality, Part 2
- Policy Evaluation
- Public Policy Has General Categories
- Domestic Policy
- The Affordable Care Act
- Foreign Policy
- Diplomacy
- Trade
- National Security and the Evolution of American Foreign Policy
- Investigation: Foreign Policy in Two Conflicts, Part 1
- Investigation: Foreign Policy in Two Conflicts, Part 2
- Economic Policy
- The Federal Budget
- Monetary Policy
- Americans Are Divided over the Scope of Government
- Conclusion
- State and Local Government
- Introduction
- Political Culture Varies Among the States
- Engagement and Public Policy Differ Depending on Political Culture
- Investigation: These Divided States, Part 1
- Investigation: These Divided States, Part 2
- Similarities and Differences Between State and U.S. Constitutions
- The Long and Short of It: State Constitutions
- Amending State Constitutions
- States Manage from the Middle
- Issues of Funding on Education Policy
- Investigation: Managing Guns in America, Part 1
- Investigation: Managing Guns in America, Part 2
- Government Interaction Occurs Locally
- State and Local Politics at Work
- Conclusion
Interactive content
Study questions
Multiple-choice questions on each page guide students to critical information by providing immediate feedback. These low-risk opportunities allow students to reset answers to try again or to study for tests.
Investigations
Investigations incorporate videos, journal articles, infographics, audio clips, simulations, and primary sources to help students explore key concepts in greater depth.
Response boards
Students engage each other through discussion boards that allow them to see the responses of their peers only after they’ve posted their own comment.
Polls
Polls allow students to share their opinions and then view a live pie chart displaying the responses of all class members.
Study tools
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Authors
Jocelyn Evans, PhD
University of West Florida
Kristy Michaud, PhD
California State University–Northridge
Investigation Contributors
Jennie Linder Cunningham, MA
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Jocelyn Evans, PhD
University of West Florida
Lilly Goren, PhD
Carroll University
Jessica Hayden, PhD
Western Carolina University
Kristy Michaud, PhD
California State University–Northridge
Cynthia Newton, PhD
Wesley College
Tressa Tabares, PhD
American River College
Advisors
Philip Ardoin, PhD
Appalachian State University
Janet Box-Steffensmeier, PhD
Ohio State University
Asiya Daud, PhD
Pitzer College
Anna Fleming, PhD
Mercer University
Terry Gilmour, PhD
Midland College
Lilly Goren, PhD
Carroll University
Jessica Hayden, PhD
Western Carolina University
Erin Richards
Cascadia Community College
Cammy Shay, PhD
Houston Community College
Steven Tran, PhD
Houston Community College
Justin Vaughn, PhD
Coastal Carolina University
Sherri L. Wallace, PhD
University of Louisville
Sarah Young, PhD
University of South Carolina
Peer Reviewers
Jean-Marc Akakpo
Kennesaw State University
Scott Buchanan, PhD
The Citadel
Michelle Buehlmann, PhD
Northern Virginia Community College
Toney Carey, Jr., PhD
University of North Texas
Larry Carter, PhD
University of Texas-Arlington
Carl D. Cavalli, PhD
North Georgia College
Linda C. Davis, MA
Hillsborough Community College
Matthew DeSantis, PhD
Guilford Technical Community College
Gregory Domin, PhD
Columbus State University
Michael Evans, PhD
Georgia State University
Bailey R. Fairbanks
Georgia State University
Anna McCaghren Fleming
Georgia State University
David Hill, PhD
Stetson University
Parakh Hoon, PhD
South Puget Sound Community College
Gary Johnson, PhD
Weber State University
Joseph Jozwiak, PhD
Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi
William Kelly, PhD
Auburn University
Marvin King, PhD
University of Mississippi
Robert J. King, PhD
Georgia Perimeter College
Glen Krutz, PhD
University of Oklahoma
Julie Lester, PhD
Macon State College
Christie Maloyed, PhD
University of Nebraska–Kearney
Benjamin Melusky, MA
University of Pittsburgh
Sara Moats, PhD
West Virginia University
Dwight Mullen, PhD
University of North Carolina—Asheville (ret.)
Cynthia Newton, PhD
Wesley College
Sandra Popiden, PhD
Bridgewater State College
Amanda Rosen, PhD
Webster University
Mikhail Rybalko, PhD
Texas Tech University
Joanna Sabo, PhD
Monroe County Community College
Lauren R. Santoro, PhD
Ohio State University
Mayia Shulga, PhD
Lone Star College
Tressa Tabares, PhD
American River College
Christopher Witt, PhD
Augustana College
Shawn Williams, PhD
Campbellsville University
David Woodard, PhD
Clemson University
Publisher
Mary Jane Lindrum
Executive Editor
Jenny Westrick
Creative Director
Zara Elizabeth Crockett
Senior Editor
Jill Gallagher
Project Manager
Autumn McGimsey
Lead Learning Designer
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Learning Design Coordinator
Laura Aitcheson
Learning Designers
Jonathan Campbell
Rebekah Krahe
Assistant Learning Designer
Stephen Clark
Production Editor & Coordinator
Natalie Welch
Production Editors
Rachel Garzarelli
Marquita Jones
Assistant Production Editors
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Erin Griffin Collum
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Note
Some multiple-choice questions were developed using ChatGPT; these questions were factchecked and edited for style and accuracy.