Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Contents: Foundations of American government: The American heritage: seeking a more perfect union -- Federal government: Forging a nation -- Constitutional democracy: Promoting liberty and self-government -- Civil liberties -- Equal rights: Struggling towards fairness -- Mass politics: Public opinion and political socialization: shaping the peoples voice -- Political participation and voting: expressing the popular will -- Electionss and the two-party system: defining the voters' choice -- Political parties: contesting elections -- Interest groups: organizing for influence -- The News media: communicating political images -- Governing institutions: Congressional election and organization: sharing the power -- Congressional policymaking: balancing national goal and local interests -- Presidential office and election: leading the nation -- Presidential policymaking: eliciting support -- The Federal bureaucracy: administering the goverment -- The Federal judicial system: applying the law -- Public policy: Economic policy: contributing th prosperity -- Social welfare policy: providing for personal security and need -- Foreign and defense policy: protecting the American way -- Conclusion: renewing American ideals.