Vision & reality: The evolution of American government

This book traces the historical relationship between American political institutions and the developing society out of which they have evolved. It begins with a survey of the Thirteen Colonies, founded between 1607 and 1732, and concludes with an assessment of the American political system following the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.

Topics covered include the impact of the American Revolution, 1776-1783; the framing of the Constitution; the emergence of political parties; the expanding role of the Supreme Court; the advent of Jacksonian democracy; the crises of Civil War and Reconstruction; the effects of territorial expansion and industrial growth on the political system, and the expanding role of government culminating in Roosevelt's New Deal; the responsibilities shared between Congress and the Presidency for the conduct of foreign policy and the constitutional consequences of America's rise to world power.

The book has been written with two needs particularly in mind. For those studying American government it provides the historic background needed to understand why the political system has evolved as it has done. For those studying American history it provides a coherent treatment of constitutional developments, related to the contexts in which they occurred. The book should also be helpful to the general reader who wishes to understand the United States and the working of its system of government.