Highlights political science research findings, viewed through rational choice, social-psychological, and bio-politics theories, introducing beginning level students to sophisticated scholarship in an accessible, understandable way. Authors are highly regarded, active scholars, attractive to adopting professors. Features policy discussions throughout the book in every chapter, not just at the end of the book, thus countering the tendency of American government courses and teachers to omit policy coverage due to time constraints. New to the Fifth Edition • New and updated statistical data reflecting the 2020 census and the 2022 midterm elections, and discussions of the implications of the data and the results. • Offers a retrospective analysis of the entire Trump presidency and the first years of the Biden presidency. • Examines contemporary questions of social justice and anticipates upcoming challenges to voting rights, affirmative action policies, health care and reproductive rights, and protections for ethnic minorities and the LGBT community. . • Previews the policy implications of an increasingly partisan Supreme Court, recaps the controversial recent decisions on health care, abortion, and environmental policy, and covers the historic confirmation of new justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson.

Highlights political science research findings, viewed through rational choice, social-psychological, and bio-politics theories, introducing beginning level students to sophisticated scholarship in an accessible, understandable way. Authors are highly regarded, active scholars, attractive to adopting professors. Features policy discussions throughout the book in every chapter, not just at the end of the book, thus countering the tendency of American government courses and teachers to omit policy coverage due to time constraints. New to the Fifth Edition • New and updated statistical data reflecting the 2020 census and the 2022 midterm elections, and discussions of the implications of the data and the results. • Offers a retrospective analysis of the entire Trump presidency and the first years of the Biden presidency. • Examines contemporary questions of social justice and anticipates upcoming challenges to voting rights, affirmative action policies, health care and reproductive rights, and protections for ethnic minorities and the LGBT community. . • Previews the policy implications of an increasingly partisan Supreme Court, recaps the controversial recent decisions on health care, abortion, and environmental policy, and covers the historic confirmation of new justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson.

Highlights political science research findings, viewed through rational choice, social-psychological, and bio-politics theories, introducing beginning level students to sophisticated scholarship in an accessible, understandable way. Authors are highly regarded, active scholars, attractive to adopting professors. A new co-author adds cultural and gender diversity to the author team. Features policy discussions throughout the book in every chapter, not just at the end of the book, thus countering the tendency of American government courses and teachers to omit policy coverage due to time constraints.

Governing is a challenging activity and was not meant to be easy. In the American republic, the struggle to find common ground is a constant challenge. The making of the Constitution and its structured conflicts between the states and the national government along with the establishment of political parties have triggered conflict in the United States for two and a quarter centuries. Considering American Government: A Reader, by Lydia M. Andrade and James W. Riddlesperger Jr, attempts to position struggle and competition in a contemporary context. Considering American Government: A Reader describes: The political environment which lays the foundations for governance, including building society on shared values that both define and limit decisions Elements of institutions that connect Americans with their government, including public opinion, political parties and elections, and interest groups The making of public policy, which involves spending our money, regulating our behavior, providing services and in the case of military members or first responders, and risking one's own safety for the survival of the system