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The stakes have never been higher: national security, civil liberties, the economy, the future of the republic. Yet few outside Washington actually understand how our government and political system should work, much less how it actually operates. On one level, it's a complex, interlocking world veiled in power brokering, bureaucracy, and big money. On another, it's the biggest, richest, most influential organization in the world, for better or worse.
Understanding how modern America is managed and governed is more vital than ever, but television, radio, newspapers, and social media frequently aim to spin, seduce, and sell product rather than serve anything resembling the truth. Filling the breach and answering basic questions about how our very complex government operates and what it promises, The Handy American Government Answer Book: How Washington, Politics, and Elections Work takes a comprehensive look at the systems, people, and policies that comprise American democracy, providing much-needed clarity to the current political drama.
This informative book traces the historic development of the government, the functions of each branch of government, and how they work together. It provides clear and concise definitions of who does what and why. Written in an entertaining, reader-friendly, question-and-answer format, The Handy American Government Answer Book deciphers the news behind the headlines through well-researched answers to nearly 800 common questions. You will also read about such fascinating tidbits as
This handy primer also includes numerous illustrations, graphs, tables, a helpful bibliography, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. In the midst of the overheated rhetoric of the moment and the fast-changing, crisis-dominated world, a well-informed citizenry armed with The Handy American Government Answer Book is the best defense against political and corporate chicanery!
“If there was ever a book you need to wrap up for your political giftee, it’s “The Handy American Government Answer Book” by Gina Misiroglu. Imagine pages and pages that make politics easy to understand and that explain how things work.” – Bookworm Sez
“… answers about 1,000 questions related to the function of the US government, covering basics and contemporary issues … the origins of American government; the Constitution; federalism; the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and related concepts …” — Protoview Book News
Praise for the previous edition ...
". . . this easy-to-navigate book removes complexity from a serious subject: government." — Tampa Tribune
"This reference is a meaningful addition to the educational tools [for] students as well as general political observers and voters who want to better understand the issues of the day." — American Reference Books
Part I. The American System 1. The Basics of Democracy 2. The Constitution 3. Federalism
Part II. The Political Institutions 4. The Congress 5. The Presidency 6. The Courts
Part III. People and Politics 7. Civil Liberties and Rights 8. Political Opinion 9. Interest Groups 10. Political Parties 11. Campaigns and Elections 12. The Media
Appendices The U.S. Constitution Further Reading Index