Books in Inside American Politics series

Just in time for the 2016 presidential election, American Politics Today will give readers a current glimpse into our government and its working. From exploring the modern political parties and branches, to fundrasing and processes, readers will be able to develop and deepen their understanding of the functioning of the U.S. government. The U.S. Constitution outlines the way Americans choose their political leaders. Electing a president was originally intended to be a simple process. But with the development of political parties, fundraising, advertising, and mass media, the system has become increasingly complex. Every American should understand the stages in the presidential election process. From the primaries and caucuses to the debates and conventions, up to the general election and the inauguration, there are opportunities for citizens to become fully involved in the process. Citizens must learn to use the powers granted to them by the U.S. Constitution to ensure that the democracy envisioned by the Founding Fathers remains strong and vibrant.

Just in time for the 2016 presidential election, American Politics Today will give readers a current glimpse into our government and its working. From exploring the modern political parties and branches, to fundrasing and processes, readers will be able to develop and deepen their understanding of the functioning of the U.S. government. In 1988, the Democratic Party's candidate lost the presidential election for the fifth time in the previous six elections. A group called the Democratic Leadership Council said that the party had alienated the electorate by supporting government programs intended to eliminate poverty and achieve racial justice. Democrats, the DLC insisted, had to position themselves toward the political center. Doing just that, Bill Clinton won the 1992 presidential race. This book focuses on the ups and downs of the Democratic Party in the decades since then. It examines the party's changing base of support, as well as the issues that animate rank-and-file Democrats today. The book also takes a look at the growing rift between the party's centrist wing, which broadly accepts Clinton's famous pronouncement that the era of big government is over, and its progressive wing, which advocates a renewed government commitment to the promotion of economic and social equality.

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. From the primaries and caucuses to the debates and conventions, up to the general election and inauguration, there are opportunities for citizens to become fully involved in the process. Citizens must learn to use the powers granted to them by the U.S. Constitution to ensure that the democracy envisioned by the Found Fathers remainsstrong and vibrant.