American Politics For Dummies - UK, UK Edition

Learn about:

• The basics of American political history
• The roles and responsibilities of the president, Congress, and Supreme Court
• Elections and political parties
• American politics and the world stage

The simplest way to get to grips with the American political system

The world of American politics can be bewildering to anyone not born and bred in the USA. This plain-English guide is your perfect introduction, whether you’re a student or simply fascinated by the workings of the world’s most powerful democracy. From the electoral process to ‘special relationships’, you’ll discover all you need to know.

• Witness the birth of America – find out about the emergence of the US, from the ideas upon which America was founded to the creation of the US Constitution
• Go government – understand the powers of the president, how Congress operates, the function of the Supreme Court and how US laws are created and passed
• Party on – discover the ins and outs of elections and parties, from the electoral process and the two-party system to voting behaviour amongst Americans
• Understand how this one nation has many identities – get to grips with the workings of a truly multicultural society
• See that all the world’s a stage – grasp the grand strategy of the US to understand why the nation acts as it does in international politics

Open the book and find:

• A tour of many aspects of American politics and society
• Key details about responsibilities of the two chambers of Congress
• Key Supreme Court decisions
• How ideas become laws
• Everything you need to know about the electoral process
• The lowdown on interest groups, media and public opinion in politics
• The scoop on the 2008–2009 financial crisis
• Details on voting behaviour across the country