* The only long-established American government text under 350 pages, Basics provides a brief, current, easily-understood introduction to American politics and government for beginning college and community college students. * With simple, focused chapters of under 30 pages on the key political players, teachers gain confidence that their assignments using this accessible, inexpensive, long-time student favorite will be bought and read. * A comprehensive yet compact set of features-including "Spotlight On," "A Closer Look," and "Case Study" boxes; chapter wrap-ups, Thought Questions, Learn the Terms glossary entries, and Suggested Readings-keep students engaged and offer professors easy "launching pads" into timely topics beyond the basic text. New to the 17th Edition Discusses student activism in the context of climate change. Covers the personalities and actions of the new Biden administration, as well as wrapping up President Trump's tumultuous final year in office (two impeachments, COVID, the Capitol Insurrection). Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 midterm elections, and the impact of reapportionment and gerrymandering (based on the 2020 Census). Presents recent and ongoing developments on the Supreme Court including appointment of two new justices and major decisions including those pertaining to abortion, voting rights and access, and LGBT rights. Reflects changes in voting behavior in the 2020 and 2022 elections, as well as developments regarding both voting rights and voter suppression. Explores the ongoing crisis of misinformation and disinformation on the Internet and in social media in particular. Expands the discussion of tribal politics, threats to democracy, and economics.

* The only long-established American government text under 350 pages, Basics provides a brief, current, easily-understood introduction to American politics and government for beginning college and community college students. * With simple, focused chapters of under 30 pages on the key political players, teachers gain confidence that their assignments using this accessible, inexpensive, long-time student favorite will be bought and read. * A comprehensive yet compact set of features-including "Spotlight On," "A Closer Look," and "Case Study" boxes; chapter wrap-ups, Thought Questions, Learn the Terms glossary entries, and Suggested Readings-keep students engaged and offer professors easy "launching pads" into timely topics beyond the basic text. New to the 17th Edition Discusses student activism in the context of climate change. Covers the personalities and actions of the new Biden administration, as well as wrapping up President Trump's tumultuous final year in office (two impeachments, COVID, the Capitol Insurrection). Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 midterm elections, and the impact of reapportionment and gerrymandering (based on the 2020 Census). Presents recent and ongoing developments on the Supreme Court including appointment of two new justices and major decisions including those pertaining to abortion, voting rights and access, and LGBT rights. Reflects changes in voting behavior in the 2020 and 2022 elections, as well as developments regarding both voting rights and voter suppression. Explores the ongoing crisis of misinformation and disinformation on the Internet and in social media in particular. Expands the discussion of tribal politics, threats to democracy, and economics.

While great strides have been made since the Founding years, the United States continues to suffer from a high degree of political inequality. Simply put, some citizens have a louder voice in their democracy than others. Both the malapportioned Senate and Electoral College overrepresent Americans in small states, while gerrymandered districts poorly convert votes into power in the House of Representatives. Over four million Americans living in Washington, D.C. and the territories lack representation in Congress, while citizens everywhere face unnecessary burdens to cast ballots. Finally, biased media and questionable political funding render it difficult to hold elected officials accountable. This book explores these formidable problems and identifies the path to securing a fairer, more representative political system. Sourcing solutions directly from the Constitution, chapters outline the tools that could limit malapportionment, expand voting rights, control the influence of big donors and more. Achieving these reforms, however, requires an engaged citizenry that relentlessly demands change from those in power.

Election Day, as it was once known, is no more. In 2020, with COVID-19 raging, over 60% of American voters cast early ballots. Even before the pandemic, more than one-third of voters routinely did so. Early voting represents a radical change in American elections. It means new options for voters, a new set of procedures and responsibilities for election clerks, and new challenges for political candidates and operatives. In Tuesday's Gone, Elliott Fullmer explores the effects of this new reality. Applying new data and innovative methods, he reports that early voting is bringing new citizens to the polls and enhancing the quality of American democracy. Examining four recent elections, he finds that both early in-person and absentee options increase turnout by several points when aggressively implemented by state and local officials. Like any new public policy, however, early voting does come with some notable side effects. Fullmer cautions that early voting increases down-ballot roll-off, widens racial disparities in voting access, and alters the competitive environment in presidential nomination contests. He argues that these complications can (and should) be addressed so that early voting can fully deliver upon its promise.