American Government

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.

1. The Founding and the Constitution
   1. Introduction
   2. The Constitution: A Product of Conflict and Compromise
   3. Declaring Independence
   4. The Articles of Confederation
   5. Negotiating the Constitution
   6. A New Government
   7. Constitutional Principles: Republicanism and Federalism
   8. Constitutional Principles: Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
   9. The Constitution Defines and Limits the Government
   10. The Articles of the Constitution
   11. Investigation: Comparing Constitutions, Part 1
   12. Investigation: Comparing Constitutions, Part 2
   13. Amending the Constitution
   14. The 27 Amendments to the Constitution
   15. Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Amendment, Part 1
   16. Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Amendment, Part 2
   17. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Amendment Process
   18. The Constitution Leaves Room for Interpretation
   19. Conclusion
2. Federalism
   1. Introduction
   2. The Constitution Establishes a Federal System
   3. The National and State Governments Compete for Power
   4. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: McCulloch v. Maryland, Part 1
   5. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: McCulloch v. Maryland, Part 2
   6. Dual Federalism
   7. Cooperative Federalism
   8. Coercive Federalism
   9. New Federalism
   10. A Brief History of Federalism
   11. Power Shifts Between National and State Governments
   12. Crises
   13. Developments in Transportation
   14. Developments in Communications, Science, and Technology
   15. Differing Political Ideas
   16. Federalism Has Strengths and Weaknesses
   17. Investigation: Half Baked, Part 1
   18. Investigation: Half Baked, Part 2
   19. Conclusion
3. Civil Liberties
   1. Introduction
   2. Civil Liberties Protect Individuals
   3. Core Protections and Limits
   4. Amendment I: Freedom of Religion
   5. Amendment I: Freedom of Speech
   6. Amendment I: Symbolic Speech
   7. Investigation: Mean Girls vs. the First Amendment, Part 1
   8. Investigation: Mean Girls vs. the First Amendment, Part 2
   9. Amendment I: Limits to Free Speech
   10. Amendment I: Assembly and the Press
   11. Amendment II: The Right to Bear Arms
   12. Amendment IV: Searches and Seizures
   13. Amendment V: Due Process
   14. Amendment VI: The Right to a Fair Trial
   15. Amendment VIII: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
   16. Extending Civil Liberties to the States
   17. Religious Freedom and Incorporation
   18. Selective Incorporation
   19. The Interpretation of Civil Liberties Evolves
   20. Privacy Rights and Abortion
   21. Privacy Rights and Sexuality
   22. Investigation: Older than the Bill of Rights, Part 1
   23. Investigation: Older than the Bill of Rights, Part 2
   24. The Right to Die
   25. Conclusion
4. Civil Rights
   1. Introduction
   2. Civil Rights Require Equal Protection
   3. Affirmative Action
   4. Early Expansion of Civil Rights
   5. Reconstruction and Jim Crow
   6. The First Feminists
   7. Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Movement, Part 1
   8. Investigation: Till We Have Suffrage: The Movement, Part 2
   9. Further Expansion of Civil Rights
   10. Desegregating Education
   11. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Brown v. Board, Part 1
   12. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Brown v. Board, Part 2
   13. Desegregating Transportation
   14. Civil Rights Legislation
   15. Expanding Women’s Rights
   16. Women’s Rights Today
   17. Judicial Standards of Review
   18. Rights for Diverse Groups
   19. LGBTQ+ Rights
   20. Conclusion
5. Congress
   1. Introduction
   2. Congress Embodies Democratic Ideals
   3. Differences Between the House and the Senate
   4. Apportionment and Redistricting
   5. Investigation: Drawing Political Lines, Part 1
   6. Investigation: Drawing Political Lines, Part 2
   7. The Process of Making Laws
   8. Parties and Committees Make the Legislative Process Easier
   9. Parties in the House and Senate
   10. Party Influence and Control
   11. Unified vs. Divided Government
   12. Types of Committees
   13. Investigation: Setting the Legislative Agenda, Part 1
   14. Investigation: Setting the Legislative Agenda, Part 2
   15. Congress Members Consider Multiple Influences
   16. Legislative Decision-Making
   17. Descriptive Representation
   18. Delegate vs. Trustee Models of Representation
   19. Balancing Competing Interests
   20. Conclusion
6. The Presidency
   1. Introduction
   2. The President Has Many Roles
   3. Executive Powers
   4. Executive Orders and Privilege
   5. Legislative Powers
   6. Judicial Powers
   7. Diplomatic Powers
   8. Military Powers
   9. Presidential Power Has Grown
   10. Policies and Programs
   11. Parties and Media
   12. Globalization
   13. Interpretation and Delegation
   14. Executive Power Is Limited
   15. Impeachment
   16. Investigation: The Broken Presidency, Part 1
   17. Investigation: The Broken Presidency, Part 2
   18. Presidential Performance Matters
   19. Assessing Performance
   20. Investigation: Eavesdropping on the Oval Office: LBJ’s First Days, Part 1
   21. Investigation: Eavesdropping on the Oval Office: LBJ’s First Days, Part 2
   22. Conclusion
7. Bureaucracy
   1. Introduction
   2. The Federal Bureaucracy Implements Laws
   3. Executive Branch Organization
   4. Presidential Power
   5. Legislative Oversight
   6. Investigation: Old MacDonald Had an Agency, Part 1
   7. Investigation: Old MacDonald Had an Agency, Part 2
   8. Issue Networks and Iron Triangles
   9. The Federal Bureaucracy Has Grown
   10. The Progressive Era
   11. The New Deal
   12. The Great Society
   13. The Reagan Revolution
   14. The Bureaucracy Today
   15. The Federal Bureaucracy Has Considerable Power
   16. Investigation: Implementing the ACA, Part 1
   17. Investigation: Implementing the ACA, Part 2
   18. Limitations on Bureaucratic Power
   19. Americans Seek to Reform the Bureaucracy
   20. Devolution and Privatization
   21. Conclusion
8. The Judiciary
   1. Introduction
   2. Article III Establishes the Supreme Court
   3. Jurisdiction
   4. The Court Has Expanded Its Influence
   5. Judicial Review
   6. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Marbury v. Madison, Part 1
   7. Investigation: Supreme Court Stories: Marbury v. Madison, Part 2
   8. The Supreme Court Chooses Cases
   9. Access to the Supreme Court
   10. The Decision-Making Process
   11. Judicial Appointments Influence the Judiciary
   12. The Judicial Nomination Process
   13. The Court Today
   14. Many Factors Influence Judicial Decisions
   15. Personal Experience
   16. Judicial Philosophy
   17. Political Ideology
   18. Political Context
   19. Investigation: The Path to Marriage Equality, Part 1
   20. Investigation: The Path to Marriage Equality, Part 2
   21. Conclusion
9. Public Opinion
   1. Introduction
   2. Many Factors Influence Public Opinion
   3. Investigation: Am I Blue, Purple, or Red? Part 1
   4. Investigation: Am I Blue, Purple, or Red? Part 2
   5. Political Socialization
   6. Factors of Socialization
   7. Properly Conducted Polls Express Public Opinion
   8. Investigation: Exit Poll Controversies, Part 1
   9. Investigation: Exit Poll Controversies, Part 2
   10. Basics of Scientific Polling
   11. Should Elected Leaders Heed Public Opinion?
   12. Paying Attention to the Public
   13. Presidential Approval Ratings
   14. Congressional Approval Ratings
   15. Conclusion
10. The Media
    1. Introduction
    2. Content and Journalistic Standards Have Evolved
    3. The Partisan Press Era
    4. Sensationalism and Muckraking
    5. The Professional Era
    6. Watchdog Journalism
    7. The Era of Infotainment
    8. The Media Influences People’s Views
    9. Agenda Setting
    10. Priming
    11. Framing
    12. Persuasion
    13. Investigation: Making the News, Part 1
    14. Investigation: Making the News, Part 2
    15. Online Media Presents Challenges
    16. Ethical Standards in Journalism
    17. Selective Exposure
    18. Civil Discourse
    19. Investigation: #Divide, Part 1
    20. Investigation: #Divide, Part 2
    21. Conclusion
11. Voting and Political Participation
    1. Introduction
    2. Certain Factors Influence Political Participation
    3. Forms of Participation
    4. Forces Behind Participation
    5. Demographics Behind Participation
    6. Investigation: We the Protestors, Part 1
    7. Investigation: We the Protestors, Part 2
    8. Multiple Factors Determine Voting Decisions
    9. Policy Issues
    10. Candidate Characteristics
    11. Other Factors
    12. Voter Turnout Remains Low
    13. Low Turnout Compared
    14. The Mandatory Voting Debate
    15. Investigation: License to Vote, Part 1
    16. Investigation: License to Vote, Part 2
    17. Conclusion
12. Elections and Campaigns
    1. Introduction
    2. Elections Ensure Political Legitimacy
    3. Congressional Elections
    4. Incumbents vs. Challengers
    5. Investigation: The Year of the Woman, Part 1
    6. Investigation: The Year of the Woman, Part 2
    7. Presidential Elections
    8. The Primary Season
    9. National Conventions
    10. The Electoral College
    11. Electoral College: Good or Bad?
    12. Investigation: Getting into the Electoral College, Part 1
    13. Investigation: Getting into the Electoral College, Part 2
    14. Campaign Strategies Vary
    15. Campaign Finance
    16. Campaigns Have Evolved
    17. Candidate-Centered Campaigns
    18. Conclusion
13. Political Parties
    1. Introduction
    2. Parties Have Three Components
    3. The Party Organization
    4. The Party in Government
    5. The Party in the Electorate
    6. The Role of Parties in Governance
    7. The United States Has a Two-Party System
    8. Implications of the Two-Party System
    9. Investigation: Third Wheels, Part 1
    10. Investigation: Third Wheels, Part 2
    11. Republicans and Democrats Dominate the System
    12. 1796–1827
    13. 1828–1859
    14. The Critical Election of 1860
    15. The Critical Election of 1896
    16. The Critical Election of 1932
    17. The 1960s to Today
    18. Investigation: 2016 Party Platforms, Part 1
    19. Investigation: 2016 Party Platforms, Part 2
    20. Conclusion
14. Interest Groups
    1. Introduction
    2. Interest Groups Seek to Influence Policy
    3. Types of Interest Groups
    4. The Politics of Healthcare Reform
    5. Lobbying
    6. Investigation: Evil Lobbyists, Part 1
    7. Investigation: Evil Lobbyists, Part 2
    8. Election Activity
    9. Other Forms of Influence
    10. Forming and Maintaining a Group Requires Resources
    11. Joining Interest Groups
    12. Investigation: The American Pizza Community, Part 1
    13. Investigation: The American Pizza Community, Part 2
    14. Forming Interest Groups
    15. Americans Aren’t Represented Equally
    16. The Value of Interest Groups
    17. Conclusion
15. Public Policy
    1. Introduction
    2. Public Policy Reflects the Demands of Various Groups
    3. What Is Policy?
    4. Policymaking in a Separated System
    5. The Everlasting Policy Machine
    6. The Policymaking Process
    7. Agenda Setting
    8. Policy Formulation and Adoption
    9. Policy Implementation
    10. Investigation: Healthcare: Quality, Part 1
    11. Investigation: Healthcare Quality, Part 2
    12. Policy Evaluation
    13. Public Policy Has General Categories
    14. Domestic Policy
    15. The Affordable Care Act
    16. Foreign Policy
    17. Diplomacy
    18. Trade
    19. National Security
    20. Investigation: Bombing for Peace, Part 1
    21. Investigation: Bombing for Peace, Part 2
    22. Economic Policy
    23. The Federal Budget
    24. Monetary Policy
    25. Americans Are Divided over the Scope of Government
    26. Conclusion
16. State and Local Government
    1. Introduction
    2. Political Culture Varies Among the States
    3. Engagement and Public Policy
    4. Investigation: These Divided States, Part 1
    5. Investigation: These Divided States, Part 2
    6. State Constitutions Vary in Length
    7. The Long and Short of It: State Constitutions
    8. Amending State Constitutions
    9. States Manage from the Middle
    10. Issues of Funding
    11. Investigation: Managing Guns in America, Part 1
    12. Investigation: Managing Guns in America, Part 2
    13. Government Interaction Occurs Locally
    14. State and Local Politics at Work
    15. Conclusion

Interactive content

Study questions

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Investigations

Investigations incorporate videos, journal articles, infographics, audio clips, simulations, and primary sources to help students explore key concepts in greater depth.

Response boards

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Polls

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The following materials are available for this course:

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Authors

Jocelyn Evans, PhD
University of West Florida

Kristy Michaud, PhD
California State University–Northridge

Publisher

David Lindrum

Executive Editor

Mary Jane Lindrum

Managing Editor

Zara Elizabeth Crockett

Senior Instruction & Content Specialist

Autumn McGimsey

Production Editor & Coordinator

Georgia Mason

Copy Editor

Stephen Clark

Assistant Production Editors

Rachel Garzarelli
Natalie Welch

Photo Research & Permissions

Zara Elizabeth Crockett

Illustrations

Macks Lazo

User Interface Design

Sam Korthof
Clint McFarlin

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, MA
University of West Florida

Kristy Michaud, PhD
California State University–Northridge

Cynthia Newton, PhD
Wesley College

Tressa Tabares, PhD
American River College

Advisors

Janet Box-Steffensmeier, PhD
Ohio State University

Lilly Goren, PhD
Carroll University

Jessica Hayden, PhD
Western Carolina University

Erin Richards
Cascadia Community College

Cammy Shay, PhD
Houston Community College

Sherri L. Wallace, PhD
University of Louisville

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Jean-Marc Akakpo
Kennesaw State University

Scott Buchanan, PhD
The Citadel

Michelle Buehlmann,
Northern Virginia Community College

Toney Carey, Jr., PhD
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Larry Carter, PhD
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William Kelly, PhD
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Marvin King, PhD
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University of North Carolina—Asheville (ret.)

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Clemson University