Includes bibliographical references (p. E1-E28) and index.

Introduction: main themes -- Democracy and American politics -- Stru cture -- The constitution -- Federalism: states and nation -- The struc tural foundations of American government and politics -- Political link age -- Public opinion -- The news media -- Interest groups and business corporations -- Social movements -- Political parties -- Voting, campa igns, and elections -- Government and governing -- Congress -- The pres idency -- The executive branch -- The courts -- What government does -- Civil liberties: the struggle for freedom -- Civil rights: the struggl e for political equality -- The budget and economic policies -- Social safety nets -- Foreign policy and national defense.